Dengue fever remains a concern in Fiji with 10,969 cumulative dengue cases recorded from the 1st of January to the 15th of June this year while 8 people unfortunately lost their lives during this period.
Minister for Health, Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu stressed this when Opposition MP Virendra Lal asked whether the outbreak is under control.
Dr Lalabalavu confirmed that with the virus being endemic is transmitted by only a few of the more than 20 mosquito species found in the country.
He says the mosquitoes responsible for transmitting dengue typically bite early in the morning and before sundown, which aligns with the Ministry’s mosquito spraying schedule.
He confirmed outbreaks were declared in the Western, Central and Northern Divisions due to rising case numbers where 4,960 cases in the Western Division, 2,868 in the Central Division, 2,867 in the Northern Division and 2,274 in the Eastern Division between 1st of January to the 15th of June this year.
The Minister says during the same period, there were 2,334 hospital admissions: 1,164 in the Western Division, 455 in the Central Division, 655 in the Northern Division and 60 in Eastern Division.
Dr Lalabalavu says while the numbers justified outbreak declarations, the Ministry of Health, with support from other sectors responded quickly and effectively.
He says although Fiji is not out of the woods yet, the Ministry is experienced in dealing with such outbreaks.
The Minister says that despite over 10,000 cases, fewer than 2,000 people were hospitalised and five lives were lost—a sign of effective containment efforts.
In response to the question about medicine availability, Dr Lalabalavu says treatments for dengue symptoms are available.
He emphasised that dengue presents like other viral illnesses, with fever, headache and body aches, and urged the public to seek early treatment.
He adds that the public health team has remained proactive, especially during previous outbreaks, by focusing on environmental clean-up and community awareness about early symptoms.
