Twenty-three more lives have been lost in the country due to leptospirosis.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has confirmed this in its statement.
The statement said that the permanent secretary of Health, Dr James Fong, together with senior advisory managers, were visiting the Ra subdivision to speculate on the current rising cases of leptospirosis in the division.
“Being an infectious disease, there have been 567 confirmed cases of leptospirosis in Fiji so far, with outbreaks occurring in all four divisions,” the statement said.
“An increase in the number of cases admitted to hospitals infected with leptospirosis has been noted, with a death toll of 23 since the last update on February, 23.
“Although all age groups were able to host the infection, cases remain predominantly higher in ages 10-39 years more in males than females, and in people of the iTaukei ethnicity.”
According to the Health Ministry, the recent weather has resulted in conditions conducive to outbreaks of leptospirosis, typhoid, and dengue fever.
“These are climate-sensitive diseases endemic to Fiji.
“We are also aware of the recent weather reports predicting increasing rainfall over the next few days, and as such the medical advice we provide needs to be followed, while we continue to mount our public health and clinical response.
“We have especially noted increasing leptospirosis cases, hospitalisations, and deaths following similar weather events.
“Please heed our advice to protect yourselves and your loved ones.”
