Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services has reported 67 lab-confirmed cases of typhoid fever and five deaths this year.
Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong said 15 of the cases were recorded in the last week – 10 from the Western Division and two each from the Northern and Central divisions.
He said nationally, and in the Central, Northern, and Eastern divisions, typhoid cases were below the average, or at the average numbers expected for this time of the year.
“However, in the Western Division, there are localised outbreaks in communities in Ra, Lautoka, and Nadi. Sadly, there have been 5 deaths from typhoid fever this year,” Dr Fong said.
He said there had been five deaths since the last update on March 9.
Typhoid fever is typically found in areas that do not have access to proper toilet facilities and/or clean drinking water.
“We strongly encourage people who live in rural areas, informal urban areas, and any other areas where access to clean drinking water is limited, to boil all drinking water. We must all also continue to practice basic hygiene measures such as frequently washing hands with soap and water, especially after visiting the toilet and before eating or preparing food,” Dr Fong said.
