The Ministry of Health is reiterating its meningococcal disease awareness to ensure Fijians are being vigilant.

While the meningococcal disease bacteria is not easily transmitted, it is spread from person to person through the transfer of saliva or spit.

This can happen when an infected person deeply kisses an uninfected person, it can also spread through the sharing of drinks and use of the same utensils.

Minister for Health Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete is advising anyone with symptoms such as a sudden fever, nausea and purple and red rashes on the skin to get urgent medical attention.

“It’s normally spread by household contact or intimate contact so people who are working with those were involved, with those who passed away, be rest assure that’s it’s unlikely that they can get meningococcal because it’s not a droplet.”

Nine people have died since last year from the meningococcal disease, six confirmed deaths last year and three this month alone.

The youngest victim this year was a four-year-child from Keiyasi in Sigatoka.