Vanua Levu has the highest number of typhoid cases in the country. Although the number of cases were not made known, Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu confirmed the North had one of the highest burdens among the four divisions.
The revelation has forced a traditional leader in Labasa to stop children from swimming in a nearby village river as a few cases have been reported from their area.
Traditional leader of Vunivau Village Adi Losalini Yalayalamaikali said they have had cases which included dengue.
“So we have stopped our children from swimming in the river until we are clear,” she said.
“The health officials have come to hold awareness programs with us and we are doing preventative measures to keep us safe.”
While opening the newly built container laboratory for the TY-FIVE project at Labasa Hospitral yesterday, Dr Atonio said apart from the North, there were high incidences of typhoid fever around the country.
“Zero-prevalence or the measure of past exposure has also been noted to be higher than the incidence of diagnosed cases would suggest, implying that there is either a substantial under-reported burden, or the possibility of asymptomatic transmission fueling ongoing spread of the disease.
“Typhoid is a deadly disease but it is preventable.”
