25 confirmed cases of measles in the country

There are now 25 cases of measles in the country.

The Health Ministry says the latest confirmed case is an 11- month old baby from Nabua who was admitted under isolation at CWM Hospital on Friday and was discharged yesterday.

A 3-month-old baby also continues to be admitted under isolation at CWM Hospital.

The Health Ministry confirms all other cases confirmed earlier have recovered or are recovering well under home isolation.

All 25 cases are from the following areas in the Central Division:

-12 cases from the Serua/Namosi Subdivision (Wailali, Wainadoi, Navunikabi, and Makosoi Deuba)

-6 cases from Suva Subdivision (Nabua, Samabula, Vatuwaqa, Tacirua, Wailekutu and Naikorokoro Village in Lami).

-3 cases from Rewa Subdivision (Koronivia, Nasilai Village Nakelo, Davuilevu).

-4 cases from Naitasiri Subdivision (Saumakia Village)

Measles is a highly contagious disease; therefore, non-essential travel to Naikorokoro Village in Lami, Saumakia Village in Naitasiri, Serua/Namosi, and Nasilai Village in Nakelo, Rewa is strongly discouraged.

The Health Ministry says the national measles campaign will continue to target people who are most at risk of being infected by measles and spreading the disease.

328,000 people in Fiji have been vaccinated against measles since the outbreak was declared on Thursday 7th November this year.

The Ministry is urging everyone in the target groups to get vaccinated if they haven’t already during this campaign.

It is urging parents of children aged 6 months to 5 years of age to get their children vaccinated against measles during this campaign, even if the child has received all routine vaccinations according to the national immunisation schedule.

Children under the age of 5 are most at risk of being infected by measles and developing the complications of the disease.

The national measles vaccination campaign is targeting people who are most at risk of being infected by measles and spreading the disease:

-All children aged 6 months to 5 years regardless of prior vaccination history

-All people born between 1980 and 2000 (19 to 39-year olds who should have ID available if asked)

-Any child who has not received 2 doses of a measles vaccine according to the national immunisation schedule

-Any child aged 12 and 18 months in Fiji who are due their routine measles immunisation according to the national immunisation schedule

-Any person travelling overseas (with evidence of travel i.e. a travel itinerary or ticket)

-All health care workers

-All airport and port-of-entry workers, and hotel staff

It says pregnant women, babies under the age of 6 months, those with a compromised immune system and those with a known allergy to the vaccine should not be vaccinated.