18 cases recorded after an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Fiji this year

The Ministry of Health has declared an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Fiji after three deaths this year.

The Ministry says that there have been 12 deaths recorded from 2016 to now.

Meningococcal is a life‑threatening disease caused by a bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis and this year there have been 18 cases recorded till February 21st.

It can cause infections in the lining of the brain and in the blood, or both.

The Health Ministry has stressed that these conditions are very serious and can be deadly but can be treated if detected early.

It adds that identifying symptoms early and seeking urgent medical treatment at a health facility is critical and will give a person the best chance of survival.

A person may start to feel sick within 3 to 7 days after coming in contact with the bacteria.

The Ministry says symptoms of meningococcal disease, especially for older children and adults include sudden fever, vomiting, headache, and stiff neck/backache.

It says other symptoms include, nausea, eyes become sensitive to light, confusion and a rash where red/purple spots are seen on the skin.

The Ministry says the meningococcal disease can only be treated at a health facility with antibiotic medication specifically used for this disease.

People with meningococcal disease will be admitted to the hospital.

The Ministry has also revealed that over the recent years Fiji has had an increase in cases of meningococcal disease and prior to 2016, 1 in 10 cases were reported per year.

It says in 2016 there were 29 cases and 48 cases were reported in 2017.

The Ministry adds that meningococcal remains uncommon in Fiji even with the recent increase in cases, however, this disease has a high death rate.

According to the World Health Organisation, without appropriate medical treatment, up to 50% of people who get the disease will die.

The Health Ministry has revealed that 14.4% of people who had meningococcal disease died in Fiji last year.

In comparison, the Ministry highlighted that the death rate for dengue fever in Fiji is 0.4‑0.6% annually, even during outbreaks.

The Ministry of Health has stressed that the meningococcal bacteria is not easily transmitted but is spread from person to person via transfer of saliva or spit.

This can happen when a person with the bacteria coughs on an uninfected person or deeply kisses an uninfected person on the mouth.

It may also be spread through sharing of drinks from the same glass or cup, water bottle or bowl e.g. kava or taki alcohol at a nightclub.

The Ministry has also highlighted that not everyone who has the bacteria will get the disease adding that meningococcal only occurs when the bacteria get into the bloodstream, and this happens in less than 1% of those that have it.