A medical team Nadroga-Navosa were urged to beef up their monitoring of leptospirosis.

This is due to the increase in people admitted to hospitals for the disease in the Western Division.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete with his team, made a visit to Navosa hospital on Monday.

He briefed the medical team to keep a close watch on Leptospirosis, Typhoid and Dengue (LTD.

“The medical staff at the Navosa Hospital were briefed on the need to beef up their monitoring and surveillance of Leptospirosis, Typhoid and Dengue (LTD) as there is a surge in cases of these diseases after the recent rainy season,” the minister said.

With the recent heavy rains and flooding in parts of Fiji the Ministry anticipated an increase in these endemic climate-sensitive diseases.

More people were admitted for leptospirosis into hospitals in the Western Division and the intensive care unit at Lautoka Hospital.

Members of the public were urged to stay away from floodwaters for safety and to prevent Leptospirosis and other climate sensitive diseases.

They needed to ensure all crucibles holding water were emptied and if anyone at home has fever, malaise, joint pains etc; they needed to be taken to a health facility.

Early treatment could decrease the severity and duration of disease and this entails initiating antibiotic treatment as soon as possible without waiting for laboratory results.

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