An eight-year-old student from Navua is one of the three latest fatalities of Leptospirosis.

This was revealed by Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Dr James Fong on Wednesday.

The latest deaths were reported since the last update on February 23.

Dr Fong said there had been 567 confirmed cases of leptospirosis this year with outbreaks ongoing in all four divisions.

“In the Western Division, there have been 236 cases, with 42 per cent from Lautoka, 23 per cent from Nadi, 17 per cent from Ba, 9 per cent from Tavua, 6 per cent from Ra, and 3 per cent from Nadroga/Navosa,” Dr Fong said.

“In the Central Division, there have been 193 cases, with 42 per cent from Suva, 22 per cent from Rewa, 13 per cent from Serua/Namosi, 9 per cent from Tailevu, 8 per cent from Nasinu, and 6 per cent from Naitasiri.

“In the Northern Division, there have been 122 cases, while in the Eastern Division, there have been 16 cases from Levuka and Kadavu.”

Dr Fong said an important preventative measure included the wearing of fully covered footwear at all times when going outdoors, avoiding wading or swimming in flooded waters, using clean fresh water to wash up after exposure to muddy waters, and keeping all food and drinks covered and away from rats.

“For workplaces, practise good personal hygiene at all times, cover cuts and wounds well, and use protective equipment, especially footwear when in flooded and/or muddy areas,” he said.

Dr Fong also confirmed there had been 44 cases of typhoid fever this year and 633 confirmed cases of dengue fever so far this year.

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