Minister for Health, Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete says there has been a reduction of dengue cases and deaths in the country from last year where there were 9,000 cases that resulted in 9 deaths while there has been over 2,500 cases so far this year with one death.
The minister says there has been a decrease in the number of cases and deaths resulting from dengue fever in Fiji even tough there has been an increase in countries such as Tuvalu, Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines.
Waqainabete says improvement in public health campaigns and the health workers response has contributed in the reduction of cases and deaths due to dengue.
He says the ministry is also working on releasing mosquitoes carrying wolbachia bacteria which nullifies the effects of dengue.
Waqainabete adds that mosquitoes have been released in the Lami - Nakasi corridor and are now being releases in Nadi, Lautoka and Nausori.
Leader of Opposition, Sitiveni Rabuka has also asked the Minister for Health if the issue of dengue is bad enough that it would warrant a travel advisory for people entering the country.
He adds that people entering countries where malaria is prevalent take medication and if something similar could be done for dengue.
The Minister says that the cases of dengue are not that bad and unlike malaria, there are no tablets that could be taken to prevent dengue.
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