The increasing cases of dengue fever recorded in Ovalau is a cause of serious concern for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

Minster for Health Dr Waqainabete said the ministry has had to do a lot of work in source reduction as cases were escalating on the island.

This was during the Lomaiviti Provincial Council meeting on Wednesday. Without revealing any specific figures of the cases Dr Waqainabete said typhoid was also a cause of concern in the Lomaiviti Group in recent months.

He added that the islands in the Eastern Division were badly affected by typhoid and the ministry had begun noting significant improvements on the area.

Unvaccinated Population

Dr Waqainabete said another cause of concern for the ministry was the pockets of islands in the Lomaiviti Group that remained unvaccinated.

“We know where they are and we have been targeting these areas for more advocacy and awareness as we still need to up our vaccination numbers,” he said.

“It remains a concern for the ministry because we want the level of immunity to go up and that means taking your booster dose as well.”

He urged members of the province to be vaccinated to ensure the safety of their families and everyone around them.

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