A vocal medical professional has called on people to take ownership and clean their surroundings to stop the spread of dengue.
Dr Roneel Kumar said fumigation alone was not enough to combat the spread of dengue fever.
He said there was a culture of reliance on authorities to act and do the necessary work when it came to destroying mosquito breeding grounds.
Dr Kumar has also advised anyone infected with dengue fever to sleep in mosquito nets to avoid spreading it to other family members.
As the Ministry of Health declared Naitata Settlement in Navua a dengue hotspot with seven cases, the doctor shared that while mortality rates from dengue fever so far were low, it was imperative for the general public to heed the advice of the authorities.
“While most cases have been mild disease, it can very quickly progress to dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome which is often fatal,” he said.
“There’s a culture of reliance on authorities to act and do the necessary work when it comes to destroying mosquito breeding grounds.
“I have so far seen several requests for fumigation but that alone is not enough to combat the spread of dengue fever. We must take ownership of our own health and this is not only true for communicable diseases like leptospirosis, dengue and typhoid, it’s also true for NCDs.”
He said people must properly dispose of containers, bottles, tyres collect water, clean gutters, and drains around the compound, cover stored water and keep the compound free of bush and long grass.
“A very important but rather ignored point is that anyone infected with dengue fever must sleep in mosquito nets to avoid the spread to other family members. We are seeing family members of the same household and overcrowded communities become infected one after another.
“The female dengue spreading mosquitoes feed off infected individuals and then spread to other healthy individuals. The general public should heed the advice of the relevant authorities, especially the Ministry of Health, to help stop the spread of LTD.”
The ministry announced a major dengue clean-up campaign along Vuci Rd in Nausori today to clear white goods and potential receptacles.
Meanwhile, the ministry said surveillance of the hotspot and surrounding areas are being carried out by teams from the Navua Health office and Lami Town Council.
About 88 households have been surveyed, four larval samples collected and 219 dry containers were discovered and four containers were filled with water and larvae.
Three notices were issued to homeowners for the mere presence of larvae on their properties.
The Ministry of Health has not responded to questions about a list of 28 hotspots within the Suva-Lami corridor that is circulating on social media. The list includes 10 areas in Lami, nine localities each within the Nuffield and Raiwaqa area.
