Transcript
SHELDON YETT: We've had a very significant increase in the number of cases of meningococcal disease. Traditionally the country had five to ten cases a year, in 2016 we had 30, in 2017 fifty and so far this year we've had 18. So a very significant increase in the number of cases.
JENNY MEYER: And who is most at risk from getting meningitis?
SY: Like most diseases it's children who are most vulnerable and certainly children under the age of five have the highest risks. But all young people are vulnerable. But there are simple things people can do and families can do to ensure their kids and to ensure their families are safe.
JM: What should they look out for and how can people prevent this from spreading?
SY: Like most other that are spread by airborne droplets, basic hygiene goes a long way to keeping people safe. Covering your mouth, making sure you don't share bottles at the bar or the same bowl when you're drinking kava. Basic hygiene like many diseases is really key to preventing the spread of the disease. That's why it's so important that people understand what they need to do to stay safe.
JM: What about in situations where children spend a lot of time together like daycare centres or schools, has that been a particular problem there in Fiji?
SY: It can be. Obviously where ever you have children together in a confined space the risk of transmission is greater. But that being said I think we have to put it in perspective. There are still relatively small numbers of cases and of course children need to continue to go to school and there's certainly no reason to panic. We need to ensure that people understand what they need to do to stay safe, how to prevent transmission, but school needs to stay in session, parents need to continue living life as they have been.
JM: And has Unicef been involved in helping with vaccination programmes or spreading the hygiene message?
SY: Absolutely, we've been involved in a number of areas. Unicef is working very closely with our partners in the World Health Organisation, and of course under the leadership of the government, to ensure that people understand what they need to do to stay safe, that education campaigns are in place. That there is a plan for vaccination. That vaccine supplies are available and ordered and in-country. So we're working with the government to plan this and most importantly that the basic prevention activities are ongoing.
