THREE new cases of typhoid have been confirmed by Health authorities.
A visit to Baba settlement in Levuka by a Ministry of Health team found that yaqona drinking and visits to a certain area were common factors in the three cases.
The three patients were hospitalised last month and early this month.
Laboratory results on October 19 confirmed the three cases.
A Health Ministry statement said a team led by the Sub-Divisional Medical Officer Lomaiviti, Doctor Josaia Tiko visited the community in the wake of the cases to raise awareness on proper sanitation.
"The visit included talking to the close relatives of the patients in order to determine whether anyone else had similar symptoms and to conduct tests, which have been sent to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital," the ministry said.
"The team found yaqona drinking and visits to an area that had reported cases of typhoid in the past as common in the interviews with the three patients."
"It is important that the community learnt how to prevent the spread of typhoid by washing hands well after using the toilet, before preparing food or drink, recognising the early signs and symptoms of typhoid fever so as to seek medical advice early, drinking water that is safe and ensuring proper disposal of human waste."
The ministry said symptoms of typhoid included high fever for several days plus one of the following — severe headaches, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhoea, or body weakness.
Typhoid fever is treatable with antibiotics.