Health authorities in Fiji have declared a state of medical emergency following an outbreak of diarrhea which has claimed the lives of four children,
Fiji TV reports that all four deaths of have occurred near Suva in the Central Division but the diarrhea is spreading to the west.
49 cases of diarrhea have been reported since last month with the latest death reported only yesterday.
A senior health ministry spokesman, Dr Joe Koroivueta says the state of medical emergency activates the response to a disease outbreak.
The health ministry is also maintaining a watch on an outbreak of dengue fever and whooping cough which has claimed lives in Samoa and Papua New Guinea, in case a response is necessary in Fiji.
