TWO more cases of measles have been recorded in the Central Division with the Health Ministry anticipating an increase in the number of cases.
The two newly-confirmed cases included a three-month-old baby from Wailali settlement in Wainadoi and a one-year-five-month-old baby from Wailekutu in Lami.
In a statement yesterday, the Health Ministry strongly urged Fijians not to travel to areas where the highly contagious disease was present.
“Measles is a highly contagious disease; therefore, non-essential travel to Serua/Namosi and Nasilai Village in Nakelo is strongly discouraged,” the ministry stated.
The ministry’s head of health protection Dr Aalisha Sahukhan said at this stage, the ministry was liaising with relevant stakeholders on how best they could monitor people’s movement. She said at this stage, it was imperative for people to take heed of the advisories that had been issued by the ministry.
“At this stage we are discussing with all of our stakeholders on what can be done going forward but right now we are relying on the public to take in the advice that the Ministry of Health has given,” she said.
To help stop the spread of the disease, the ministry has advised Fijians to get vaccinated against measles at least two weeks prior to travelling to areas where measles was present.
“Please avoid taking those who cannot get vaccinated (eg babies under the age of 6 months and pregnant women) to the outbreak areas.
Fiji now has 18 confirmed cases of measles. Of these, 12 are from the Serua/Namosi subdivision (Wailali, Wainadoi, Navunikabi, and Makosoi, Deuba), four from the Suva subdivision (Samabula, Vatuwaqa, Tacirua, Wailekutu) and two cases from Rewa subdivision (Koronivia, Nasilai Village Nakelo).
