Risk of spread of Nipah Virus to Fiji is low – Health Ministry

The risk of the spread of Nipah Virus to Fiji is low, particularly as none of the countries in the region have reported cases and we do not import animals from Kerala in India.

This has been stated by the Health Ministry as they have been monitoring the outbreak of the virus in Kozhikode District in Kerala, India.

So far there have been 6 confirmed cases and 2 deaths in Kerala, with extensive contact tracing and testing by health authorities while the last case was reported on September 15th.

They say the Fiji Centre for Disease Control has conducted annual Divisional Outbreak Response Team training before the rainy season in the divisions for health professionals that includes early detection and rapid response to outbreaks.

The Ministry also has a number of disease surveillance systems designed to assist with early outbreak detection.

They say they also maintain presence at the border through the Border Health Protection Unit, with ability to scale up measures should the need arise.

The Ministry says no additional measures beyond the existing disease surveillance and border health system are considered necessary at this time, but they will follow any advice WHO issues.

As an advisory to the general public, please immediately see a doctor if you have a fever with cough, sore throat, vomiting or body pains and have recently traveled to Kozhikode District in Kerala India, and inform the Health Ministry of your travel history.