Leptospirosis claims first victim of the year

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MOH) has recorded one death and 217 cases of leptospirosis so far this year.

In a statement, ministry officials said two cases of leptospirosis, both men aged 22 and 41 respectively, were reported to the Lautoka/Yasawa sub-divisional team on February 5 from Nalauwaki Village, Waya Island on Yasawa.

In response to the two cases, a team was deployed to Nalauwaki Village to carry out further investigation and necessary public health interventions on February 6 and 7.

The statement reads both patients were admitted at the Lautoka Hospital, but the 22-year-old died while the 41-year-old recovered and was recently discharged home.

There have been no other cases reported from the village to date.

The team conducted awareness on leptospirosis, environmental risk assessments, and medical screening, and distributed rat baits to households.

Ministry officials said case numbers were within expected levels for this time of the year, with more cases expected every year during the rainy season.

In anticipation of an increase in cases at this time of the year, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has conducted a three-month-long mass media awareness campaign on television and radio beginning in December 2023.

Divisional and sub-divisional outbreak response teams have also been trained and are on standby to respond during outbreaks.

“We continue to urge the public to learn about leptospirosis, take precautions to prevent infection, and present early to a medical facility should you develop symptoms,” the statement concluded.