The outbreak of leptospirosis in Fiji’s four major divisions is still ongoing, with cases and hospital admissions continued to be reported.
So far this year, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services says there have been 1230 lab-confirmed cases.
Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong said 240 new cases were reported since the last update announcement a week ago, 94 more cases recorded for previous weeks, and an additional 145 cases in the last week.
He provided a breakdown of cases in the four divisions:
- Central Division – there have been 436 cases, 77 more cases for previous weeks and 100 cases in the last week;
- Western Division – 488 cases, with 42 new cases in the last week, and 56 more reported for previous weeks;
- Northern Division – 270 cases, with seven in the last week, and nine more reported for previous weeks; and
- Eastern Division – 36 cases, with five in the last week, and seven more reported for previous weeks.
Dr Fong said 380 people had been admitted in hospitals for leptospirosis so far this year.
There have been:
- 206 admissions in the West – 32 new admissions last week, and 38 in the previous week, indicating a downward trend in admissions;
- The most admissions last week were in Lautoka hospital and Rakiraki, followed by Nadroga/Navosa and Nadi, Ba, and Tavua; and a downward trend of admissions noted in all subdivisions
- 122 admissions in the Central Division with six admissions last week, and 20 in the previous week;
- 40 admissions in the Northern Division, with three new admissions last week, and 10 in the previous week;
- 12 admissions in the Eastern Division, with two in the last week, and six in the previous week; the admissions in the Division are from Levuka, Kadavu, and Lomaloma.
Dr Fong said there had been two more deaths caused by leptospirosis since the last update on March 9 – a 27-year-old died in Wainibokasi on March 2, and the other of the same age died at the Lautoka Hospital ICU on March 10.
There have been a total of 27 deaths from leptospirosis this year – 19 in the Western Division, three in the Central Division, and five in the North.
“While we have seen cases in all age groups, cases remain predominantly in the 10-39 year old age group, with more in males than females, and in people of iTaukei ethnicity,” Dr Fong said.
The leptospirosis bacteria are spread to humans through the urine of infected animals, such as cows, pigs, rats, and dogs.
Exposure to animals, soil, mud, and floodwaters during work or recreational activities increases one’s risk of infection, he said.
