People are being advised to take precautions against influenza, stay home when sick and seek medical attention if symptoms become serious as an increase in influenza like illnesses and acute respiratory infections is currently being observed across.
Fiji.
The Ministry of Health says recent surveillance data from the Fiji Centre for Disease Control, collected through the Early Warning Alert and Response Surveillance system, show a marked rise in influenza like illnesses and acute respiratory infections reports in the past three weeks.
The say laboratory testing conducted at the National Public Health Laboratory also confirms an increase in test positivity of seasonal influenza.
The Ministry notes that this rise has occurred earlier in the year than the influenza wave Fiji experienced in the same period last year, mirroring early-season rises being observed in other countries in the Western Pacific Region, including New Zealand and Australia, as well as elsewhere in the Pacific.
They say Fiji’s current influenza trends are consistent with the wider regional and global picture, where elevated influenza activity is also being reported across parts of the Southern Hemisphere and Asia.
In response to the increased influenza activity, the Ministry says they have enhanced influenza surveillance and laboratory testing through Fiji CDC and National Public Health Laboratory to track circulating strains, alerted all Divisional and Subdivisional Health Teams to monitor influenza like illnesses and acute respiratory infections trends and reinforce infection prevention measures in health facilities and continue to monitor the regional and global respiratory illness situation alongside in country notifications.
Influenza is caused by different strains of the influenza virus and can cause symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, fatigue, runny nose and sneezing.
While most people recover within seven to 10 days, influenza can lead to serious illness such as pneumonia, particularly among babies, people over 60, pregnant women, people with non-communicable diseases, people who are obese and smokers.
People are advised to seek immediate medical attention if they experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain or heaviness, confusion, difficulty staying awake or severe vomiting.
Influenza spreads mainly through coughing and sneezing and through contact with contaminated surfaces.
People are advised to wash their hands regularly, cover coughs and sneezes, avoid crowds where possible, stay home when sick and consider wearing masks in crowded or enclosed public places.
Parents are advised to keep children with cold or flu symptoms well hydrated and rested and monitor them closely for fever and signs of dehydration.
Medical attention should be sought if a child has a persistent or very high fever, is unusually drowsy, refuses to eat or drink, is wheezing or has difficulty breathing.
