The Health Ministry has declared leptospirosis outbreaks in Kadavu and in the Western Division where case numbers are significantly above the expected levels for this time of the year.

Kadavu Leptospirosis Outbreak

The Kadavu medical subdivision has reported a total of 31 laboratory-confirmed leptospirosis cases since the beginning of this year, with a surge in cases observed in recent weeks.

The majority of cases are in 10-19 age group, with all cases of i-Taukei ethnicity.

A surge support team was mobilised to assist the Kadavu Subdivisional Outbreak Response Team (SORT) in implementing their prevention and control activities in response towards this outbreak.

These include:

• Raising awareness on leptospirosis and information on health and other

communicable diseases.

• Conducting environmental risk assessments including assessment of animals, water

sources and sanitation facilities in the affected communities, including issuance of

nuisance abatement notices.

• Upscaling and continuous surveillance in hot-spot and at-risk communities – including vector surveillance.

• Distribution of rat baits to households.