10 people die from leptospirosis in Fiji since last year to date
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E-mail Xinhua, May 20, 2020
SUVA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Fiji confirmed on Wednesday that 10 people in the island nation have died from leptospirosis since last year to date.
According to Fijian Health Minister Ifereimi Waqainabete on Wednesday, that was why Fiji is carrying out a nationwide clean-up campaign to counter dengue fever and typhoid infections.
The minister said that leptospirosis, dengue fever and typhoid are climate sensitive diseases with cases spiking during the wet weather and after the tropical cyclone Harold which the island nation in early April this year.
He said that this was more apparent in Kadavu, the fourth largest island in Fiji, the Lau group islands, the western side of the main island Viti Levu, as well as a few cases in Vanua Levu, the second largest island of Fiji.
Currently, there are 700 confirmed cases of dengue fever in areas of Fiji that were most affected by tropical cyclone Harold. The majority of new cases are children under the age of 18.
Tropical cyclone Harold hit Fiji in early April, at the same time as the COVID-19 response was rolling out and the dengue outbreak has further complicated the health situation.
The Fiji Red Cross has mobilized trained volunteers to conduct health education and hygiene promotion. They visit villages throughout the high-risk areas to build awareness and knowledge, simultaneously sharing COVID-19 hygiene precaution measures. Enditem
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