Editorial comment – Keeping an eye on health issues

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Health and Medical Services Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete. Picture: FT FILE

MINISTER for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete earlier this month added caution to the revelation that the meningococcal disease, which was declared an outbreak in March, had started to ease off.

Members of the public, he said then, should continue to be cautious about their health during this festive season though.

We now know that 11 lives were lost between last year and this year from the deadly disease, and 46 cases were recorded by the Health Ministry between January 1 and April 12.

We were warned that it was vital that we remain vigilant.

That’s because we live in a tropical climate “and this communicable disease is quite common”.

We are heading towards the end of the year and a few factors will come into play; the weather, the environment and also the way that we live our lives, we were told.

So it is important that we are cautious, and watch what we eat and drink.

“When there is somebody or someone in the family who is untoward, who is not looking well or feeling well, then that person should be brought to the hospital and be looked at as soon as possible,” the doctor said then.

Dr Waqainabete has reiterated that precautionary measures should be taken when travelling overseas, in particular to New Zealand.

While the ministry was aware of a recent outbreak of serogroup W meningococcal disease (MenW) in New Zealand, he said, it was vital for all Fijians to keep a lookout for signs and symptoms of the disease.

“There is an advisory we have given and there is a lot of movement between Fiji and New Zealand,” he said.

Fijians travelling to New Zealand have been advised to be alert for signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease and visit the nearest health facility if they develop symptoms. We have been advised to practise good hygiene.

Government had embarked on a Men-C vaccination program which saw more than 300,000 Fijians aged 19 years and below vaccinated against the deadly disease.

We must understand the symptoms, understand issues intrinsically linked to how it spreads, and embrace every little detail attached it.

Earlier this year, in March, the World Health Organization said it was important to remember that not everyone who has the bacteria would get the disease.

During an outbreak, between 10-25 per cent of the general population would carry the bacteria at the back of their nose and mouth from time to time, but would not have any symptoms. While the disease was uncommon, it said, it could affect anyone.

It is encouraging to hear from our Health Minister.

His proactive stance and advice are reassuring.

We have a challenge though, which is to be proactive and cautious this festive season.

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