Dengue toll nears 11K, eight deaths confirmed

The Ministry of Health has confirmed a total of 10,969 dengue cases recorded between January and mid-June this year, with the Western and Northern Divisions bearing the brunt of the outbreak.

“In terms of deaths, from 1st January to 22nd June, there has been a total of eight deaths – five in the Western Division, and three in the Northern Division,” said Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu.

Dr Lalabalavu national accumulative numbers from January 1 to June 15, 2025, there have been 10,969 accumulative cases.

These are 4,960 in the Western Division; 2,968 in the Central Division; 2,867 in the Northern Division; and 274 in the Eastern Division.

For dengue hospital admissions, overall, nationally, there were 2,334 cases:

(1) Western Division – 1,164;

(2) Central Division – 455 cases;

(3) Northern Division – 655; and

(4) Eastern Division – 60 cases.

In terms of deaths, from 1st January to 22nd June, 2025, there has been a total of eight deaths:

(1) Western Division – 5;

(2) Central - Nil; and

(3) Northern Division – 3.

In terms of the current trend as it is, we currently have 491 cases:

(1) Western Division – 147;

(2) Central Division – 141;

(3) Northern Division – 198; and

(4) Eastern Division – 5.

While declaring that the outbreak is under control, Dr Lalabalavu stressed that dengue remains endemic to Fiji and must be managed year-round.

“We are still not out of the woods... an ongoing awareness has been constantly done throughout, mainly in the Western and Northern Division.”

He also confirmed that spraying programmes had been strategically scheduled based on mosquito behaviour.

“The mosquitoes that do transmit the dengue virus usually do their work early in the morning and just before sundown... That is why spraying is done in the early mornings and before sundown.”