The Ministry of Health and Medical Services would like to advise the public of recent two cases of measles in two villages in the Serua province in the Serua-Namosi Medical Sub-Division.
The two cases were identified after a child was presented to Korovisilou Health Centre and later transferred to CWM Hospital from Navua, on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.
The measles case was later confirmed after testing by the Fiji Centre of Communicable Disease.
Investigation suggests that the disease transmission took place some weeks prior at a funeral gathering in a village located in the Serua / Namosi Province.
Since the identification of cases, the Ministry has initiated an immediate response through instituting a thorough investigation of households and social mobilisation within the immediate two villages, the management of confirmed cases, and the isolation of immediate family members. The Ministry has also put in place a plan of action for the Serua-Namosi Medical Sub-division.
Targeted Approach:
The Ministry is immediately embarking with the following actions:
- All children aged 6 months to 11 years in the Serua-Namosi Medical Sub-division to receive one dose measles vaccination and 2 drops of Polio;
- All children around Fiji who have turned 1 and are yet to receive their MMR vaccine are encouraged to turn up to the nearest health facility for their vaccination;
- This includes year 1 students who have yet to get their measles vaccination.
Signs and Symptoms of Measles
Measles is a highly contagious, serious, airborne disease caused by the measles virus, and spread through air droplets as well as by direct contact. The virus infects the respiratory tract and spread throughout the body. The signs and symptoms of measles are:
- High fever – which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus lasting 4 to 7 days
- A runny nose
- Cough
- Red and watery eyes
- Small white spots inside the cheeks in the initial stage
- After several days a rash erupts usually on the face and upper neck, within 3 days it spreads reaching the hands and feet lasting for 5 to 6 days.
Any individual presenting with the above signs and symptoms are requested to please visit their nearest health facility for immediate attention and treatment.
