20 Mar 2018

Fiji declares outbreak of meningococcal disease

2:05 pm on 20 March 2018

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is warning people to get treatment early as the bacterial infection can be deadly.

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The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is warning people to get treatment early as the bacterial infection can be deadly.

The ministry said cases of meningococcal disease have increased in the last few years, with 18 reported this year up until 21 February.

Last year there were 48 reported cases, nearly double the number in 2016.

Before that not more than 10 cases a year were reported.

The authorities said the disease, which is spread by spit and saliva, remains uncommon in the country despite the increase in cases.

But it's taking nationwide action warning people on its spread and symptoms because of the high death rate - 14.4 percent in 2017.