The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has reported a spike in cases of Leptospirosis, Dengue and Typhoid in the past few days.

Permanent Secretary Dr James Fong re-vealed that since the beginning of this year, they had recorded 179 leptospirosis cases, 30 typhoid cases and 213 cases of dengue fever.

Leptospirosis

Dr Fong said the Central Division had reported 65 cases of Leptospirosis, the Eastern Division three, the Northern Division reported 38, and 73 cases had been reported from the Western Division.

He said case numbers were above the expected numbers for this time of the year in the West and Central Division.

“There is also an increasing trend noted in the North,” he said.

“Hospital admission and deaths data indicate that most of the hospital admissions and deaths are in the Western division.

“There have been 14 deaths, with 12 in the Western Division, One in the Central Division, and one in the Northern Division. The majority of hospital admissions in the Western Division are from Ba, Nadroga/Navosa, Rakiraki, and some parts of Lautoka.

“The majority of admissions in the Central Division have been from Serua/Namosi, Wainibokasi and Tailevu. As previously reported, delay in accessing care has been noted to contribute significantly to these adverse outcomes.”

TYPHOID

Dr Fong said with the 30 typhoid cases, 11 were from the Central Division, 14 in the Western Division, and five in the North.

“We strongly encourage people who live in these areas, and any other areas without access to clean drinking water, to boil all drinking water. We must all also continue to practise basic hygiene measures such as frequently washing hands with soap and water, but especially after visiting the toilet and before eating or preparing food.”

DENGUE

Dr Fong said of the 213 cases of dengue fever reported, 100 of these cases were in the Western Division, where they had started to see an increase after the recent heavy rain and floods.

ADVISORY

He said leptospirosis can infect anyone as the risk was mediated by greater occupational and recreational exposure to animals, soil, mud, and water.

He said of particular note was the playing of sports on muddy flood-affected grounds. Other risk factors include farming, working outdoors or in abattoirs; living in households that have rats living nearby; raising pigs at home, or the presence of pigs in the community.

“Early treatment can decrease the severity and duration of the disease. Leptospirosis can be treated with appropriate antibiotic medications prescribed by a doctor if treatment is sought early.

“Danger signs for severe leptospirosis include shortness of breath, coughing blood, chest pain, yellow eyes/skin (jaundice), signs of bleeding (including unexplained bruising), decreased or increased urination, difficulty staying awake. Severe leptospirosis is life-threatening, and anyone with these symptoms must be taken to the hospital immediately.”