11 Apr 2025

Dengue outbreak declared in Fiji's Central Division

1:38 pm on 11 April 2025
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Photo: 123RF

Fiji's Ministry of Health has declared a dengue fever outbreak for the Central Division.

A government statement said the Central Division has reported a total of 1090 confirmed cases of dengue fever from 1 January to 23 March.

A surge in cases has been reported in the captial Suva, Navua, and Rewa over the last three weeks.

The Tailevu and Naitasiri localities have recently reported increased admissions at the Korovou and Vunidawa Hospitals, respectively.

The Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) has also reported above-expected numbers compared to the same period last year.

"Following periods of heavy rainfall and flooding, especially from November to April, dengue fever cases are expected to rise significantly," the statement said.

"The Ministry is implementing its Dengue Outbreak Response Plan and continues to monitor the outbreak situation at divisional and national levels.

"We are also committed to delivering critical medicines such as IV fluids and analgesics to support the response actions and patient care at our healthcare facilities across the country."

A secondary school student on Viti Levu with dengue fever died last month.

The Western Division, for which an outbreak was declared in February, has started to report a decline in cases.

FBC reported that from January to 23 March a total of 5128 cases of dengue fever had been reported nationwide.

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