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Health officials carry out meningococcal disease awareness

August 18, 2019 4:12 pm

A team of health officials were in Nadi last night to carry out awareness on the deadly meningococcal disease.

The most recent victim of the disease was Dhirendra Kumar who resided in Malolo, Nadi.

The family had voiced their concerns that since the death of Kumar on Tuesday, they had not been seen by the health officials to assess those in close contact with him and possibly issue vaccinations.

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The health team carried out an awareness program with the family and close friends of Kumar from the community last night.

 

The meningococcal disease is spread from person to person via the 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 the sharing of drinks from the same glass/cup/water bottle or bowl, for the example in the consumption of kava and a taki of alcohol.

The deadly disease since last year has claimed nine lives with around 85 Fijians confirmed with the bacterial infection.