14 Nov 2017

Fiji see links between disease and climate change

1:59 pm on 14 November 2017

A Fiji Ministry of Health official says climate change increases the risk from mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever.

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Photo: 123RF

So far this year nine people have died of dengue and more than 2,600 cases have been recorded.

FBC reported the national adviser for communicable diseases, Aalisha Khan, saying Fiji was going through unexpected weather patterns and people needed to take proactive measures to prevent another dengue outbreak.

Dr Khan said that May was the peak of the outbreak and that is outside Fiji's normal rainy season of November to April, and this highlights that the climate is changing.

Her comment came as Fiji presided over the COP23 climate change meeting in Bonn.

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