11 January, 2026, 9:34 am Central - 26°C Rain

Public urged to boil drinking water and practice basic sanitation to prevent waterborne diseases

Public urged to boil drinking water and practice basic sanitation to prevent waterborne diseases

By Iliana Biutu
28/12/2024
Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr Jemesa Tudravu

People are being urged to boil drinking water and practice basic sanitation to prevent waterborne diseases during this heavy rain.

While speaking at a press conference, Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr Jemesa Tudravu says members of the public in rain-affected and flood-prone areas should boil all untreated drinking water and use clean containers for water storage.

Dr. Tudravu says boiling water will help prevent the spread of waterborne diseases, such as typhoid fever and diarrhoeal diseases.

He has also urged the public to store adequate water for consumption, cooking, hand washing, and personal hygiene.

The Permanent Secretary says children should be discouraged from playing in flooded areas, which may be contaminated by sewage due to overflow from sewerage systems.

Dr. Tudravu also highlighted the importance of protecting food items and medicines stored at home from water damage by keeping them in elevated and dry areas.

He adds the Ministry remains committed to issuing public advisories and implementing measures to prevent and control potential disease outbreaks resulting from the current heavy rains and flooding.

He says the Ministry is looking forward to the continued support and cooperation of the public in addressing these health concerns.

FEATURE NEWS
People’s Alliance calls for genuine consultations on electricity price increase
The People’s Alliance Party is calling on the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission to fix the way public consultations on the proposed electri...
46 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Police officers warned over alleged Votualevu brutality incident
Officers involved in an alleged case of police brutality in Votualevu, Nadi, have been warned about their conduct.This comes after a video ...
26 minutes ago

Flights disrupted after lightning affects runway lights at Nadi Airport
Several passengers were affected after the Nadi International Airport experienced a temporary disruption to the runway edge lights for both runways ...
31 minutes ago

Fiji’s hospitals go digital with AI equipped X-ray upgrade
Fiji’s health system moves into the digital age with major X-ray upgrade equipped with artificial intelligence to provide improved services to all ...
47 minutes ago

FNPF to hold Annual Members Forum next month in Suva, Nadi and Labasa
The Fiji National Provident Fund will be holding its Annual Members Forum next month in Suva, Nadi and Labasa, and they are urging members to attend, ...
16 hours ago

Flood-hit Naria residents call for urgent survey; council says work underway
Concerned residents of Naria in Rakiraki are calling for an urgent survey to address flooding issues that occur during heavy rain due to blocked ...
16 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
9 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
20 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
20 days ago

TOP