An outbreak of typhoid that resulted in the death of a woman and her two children has forced the Ministry of Health to impose a seven-day lockdown of Togovere in Rakiraki.
Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong said the situation in the village was a concern for the Western Division health team and measures were taken to contain the outbreak when it was first detected.
“Unfortunately, we are getting back data that there are some leakages in our containment measures,” he said.
“That’s why we have escalated to an enhanced form of containment.”
Dr Fong said the villagers have been given health advice on how to beat the outbreak.
“A lot has to do with food hygiene, water to be boiled before drinking, no communal eating that will help us to pinpoint exactly where the issues are.”
He said a lot of screening will take place in the village.
“The screening is not one-off; it requires testing to be sure a negative person is really negative and anybody who turns out positive will need to be adequately managed.”
