Leptospirosis Cases High In Western Division Hospitals: Dr Fong
There had been 991 confirmed cases of leptospirosis this year, with 279 new cases in the last week.
Friday 11 March 2022 | 14:07
Ministry of Health and Medical Services personnel carrying out community health check-ups in the greater Rakiraki area to identify Leptospirosis cases in the community. Photo: Ministry of Health
The Western Division has recorded the highest number of hospital admissions with cases of Leptospirosis this year.
Ever since the outbreak earlier this year 179 admissions have been recorded in the division.
Ministry of Health and Medical Services Permanent Secretary Dr James Fong said there were 19 new admissions in the past week and they were from Ra, Nadi, Ba, Tavua, Lautoka, and Nadroga and Navosa.
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He said there had been a downward trend in the admissions lately and this was attributed to the response efforts by the medical professions combing through the hotspots in the Western Division during the past weeks.
“The outreach efforts in Rakiraki continue with FEMAT support. Four teams consisting of one medical officer, one nurse, and one health inspector were deployed to different medical areas,” Dr Fong said.
“Their objectives were to reach out to all the villages in the Ra subdivision within two weeks, actively look for and treat patients with suspected leptospirosis and create awareness for all villages in the Ra sub-division on the disease.
“The main impact of the FEMAT deployment is that we have had a bigger increase in the suspected line list for LTDD, however, home medical treatment and follow-up capability resulted in only six admissions and no deaths within a very short time.
“This impact was experienced despite ongoing weather conditions. Also while the number of cases continues to occur at outbreak levels in the Rakiraki Medical Area, the exercise facilitated early treatment which resulted in decreased severity and duration of the disease in those put on the line list.
“The active pursuit of cases, however, cannot be sustained over a long time, and as such community engagement to promote better health-seeking behaviour remains the priority means of facilitating early treatment and support.”
Dr Fong added that there had been 991 confirmed cases of leptospirosis this year, with 279 new cases in the last week.
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