Authorities are continuing to fight the bite in the Northern Division after the alarming number of dengue fever cases recorded in Vanua Levu.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services says it is not possible for them to conduct weekly cleanups of every household and workplace so they urge the general public to be vigilant in protecting themselves during the dengue outbreak in the Macuata Subdivision and Labasa.
Most of the dengue fever cases have been seen in the 20-29 and 30-39 year age group.
Labasa hospital has responded to the current surge in dengue cases by activating the Dengue Hub Centre, where patients with dengue fever symptoms are being promptly assessed and treated.
There has been an average of 13 patients per day treated at the Dengue Hub in the last week and there have been one to two patients admitted to the Labasa Hospital with dengue fever.
Acting National Advisor Communicable Diseases Dr. Aalisha Sahukhan says 795 confirmed cases of dengue fever have been recorded in the Northern Division between 1st January 2017 to 17th December 2017.
The symptoms of dengue fever consist of fever with joint or muscle pain, headache, pain behind the eyes, loss of appetite, rash, and nausea or vomiting.
The Ministry says that the signs of a life-threatening complication of dengue fever, include severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, fast breathing, unexplained bruising, bleeding gums, fatigue, restlessness and blood in vomit.
