By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

In Fiji, during National Disaster Awareness Week, Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete spoke at the launch of the Leptospirosis, Typhoid, and Dengue Fever and Diarrhea campaign (LTDD) in Ba.

Fiji map/CIA

Waqainabete kicked off his talk by highlighting the success Fiji has had in dealing with COVID-19 stating that it’s been more than 180 days since the last case in the community has been reported. Currently, Fiji has seen 33 cases, including two deaths.

Concerning the launch of the LTDD campaign, Waqainabete said these are always issues the Ministry of Health tackles.

The new platform to address the corrective actions against LTDDs during National Disaster Awareness Week was brought about Tropical Cyclone Harold in the Spring of 2020, he said.

He said the relationship between natural disasters and communicable diseases are well understood.

Dr. Waqainabete says they recorded 1,259 cases of leptospirosis since January this year and 50% of cases are from the Central Division. He also noted more than 4000 cases of dengue fever and 233 typhoid cases.

The Health Minister says 18 lives have been lost due to Leptospirosis, three due to Dengue Fever while two have died due to Typhoid.

“These numbers are alarming and depressing, a reflection of what we face because of the challenges that we have as I said before with climate sensitivity diseases”, Waqainabete said.