In a follow-up on the meningococcal disease outbreak declared in northern Fiji last week, The Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MoHMS) reports that the outbreak is caused by meningococcal C.
In addition, laboratory analysis shows the strain is resistant to penicillin and ciprofloxacin.
The Ministry, through the National Meningococcal Disease Taskforce, has coordinated the response to the outbreak, including strengthening surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, clinical management, public health interventions and risk communications.
MoHMS is reporting a total of 34 cases from January 1st to March 21st, 2018. Of these, 20 cases are laboratory confirmed, and 14 suspected or probable (WHO case definitions). There has been an average of 2 cases per week in the last 4 weeks.
As of March 21st, all cases were in the </= 19 age group. With 41% of cases < 5 years old, 20.6% between 5-9 years, 23.5% between 10-14 years, and 14.7% aged 15-19 years old. Males account for 58.8% of cases, and females 41.2%.
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