The Ministry of Health has confirmed 2068 lab-confirmed cases of leptospirosis this year, with 111 new cases to report since the last update.

A slight upward trend in cases with case numbers is noted above the outbreak threshold nationally, driven by cases in the Western Division. Case numbers are above the expected numbers for this time of the year.

Case numbers in the Western Division are increasing and remain above the outbreak alert threshold, indicating more cases than the expected number for this time of the year for this endemic disease. In the West, there have been 864 lab-confirmed cases, with 54 new cases since the last update.

In the Central Division, there have been 715 cases, with 29 new cases since the last update. Case numbers have increased towards the outbreak alert threshold in the last two weeks in Central.

In the Northern Division, there have been 427 cases, with 27 new cases since the last update. Case numbers have risen above the outbreak alert threshold in the last week, and are just above the average number of cases expected at this time of the year.

In the Eastern Division, there have been 62 cases, with 1 new case reported since the last update. Case numbers have continued to remain below the outbreak alert threshold and are at the average number seen at this time of the year.

For national leptospirosis hospital admissions so far this year, there have been 681 people admitted in total- noting that this includes suspected and lab-confirmed cases.

Total leptospirosis hospital admissions this year by division are as follows:- 380 people have been admitted to the hospital for leptospirosis in the West, with 14 new admissions last week, indicating a plateau in the trend compared to the previous week.- 179 people have been admitted to the hospital for leptospirosis in Central with 5 new admissions last week, a plateauing trend compared to the admissions in the previous week. There have been 4-5 admissions a week in Central over the last 4 weeks.- 103 people have been admitted to the hospital for leptospirosis in the Northern Division, with 1 new admission in the last week, which is a decrease in the admission trend compared to the 8 admissions in the week before.- 19 people have been admitted to the hospital in the Eastern Division, with no new admissions since the last update.

Sadly, there are 5 new leptospirosis deaths to report since the last update on April 25th, the details of the people who died are as follows:39-year-old male from Qamea who was admitted to CWM Hospital on April 30th, and died on 03/05/22.31-year-old male from Ba who died at home or en-route to hospital on 02/05/2241-year-old male from Lautoka who was admitted and died at Lautoka Hospital on 19/04/2250-year-old male from Ba who was admitted at Lautoka hospital on 20/04/22 and died on 21/04/2216-year-old from Ba who was admitted at died at Lautoka Hospital on 13/04/22There have been a total of 41 deaths from leptospirosis this year, with 30 in the Western Division, 4 in Central, 6 in the North, and 1 in the Eastern Division.

Prevention leptospirosis bacteria is spread to humans through the urine of infected animals, such as cows, pigs, rats, and dogs.

To reduce your individual risk, it is important to understand that exposure to animals, soil, mud, and floodwaters during work or recreational activities increases your risk of infection.

Important prevention measures include wearing full covered footwear at all times when going outdoors, avoiding wading or swimming in flooded waters, using clean fresh water to wash up after exposure to muddy waters, and keeping all food and drinks covered and away from rats. For workplaces, practice good personal hygiene at all times, cover cuts and wounds well, and use protective equipment, especially footwear when in flooded and/or muddy areas.

The Ministry of Health is urging all parents and guardians to prevent children from playing in the mud or swimming in flooded rivers or creeks and to ensure that they wear shoes when outside.

Early treatment can decrease the severity and duration of the disease. Please seek medical care if you have recently had contact with floodwaters, mud, or animals, and develop the following symptoms: fever, muscle pain, or headache. You may also have red eyes, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, or feel weak.

Leptospirosis can be treated with appropriate antibiotic medications prescribed by a doctor if treatment is sought early.

Danger signs for severe leptospirosis include shortness of breath, coughing blood, chest pain, yellow eyes/skin (jaundice), signs of bleeding (including unexplained bruising), decreased or increased urination, and difficulty staying awake. Severe leptospirosis is life-threatening, and anyone with these symptoms must be taken to the hospital immediately.