The Ministry of Health is urging Fijians to remain vigilant about the symptoms of the meningococcal disease.

This comes after six people this year were killed by the deadly disease which included two children aged 16 and four.

Head of Health Protection Dr. Aalisha Sahukhan from the Ministry of Health says the mass vaccination campaign targeted only one strain of the disease.

“Last year we had the meningococcal C outbreak and the meningococcal c vaccination campaign which targeted all 1 to 19-year-olds. When we declared the outbreak over in December, last year. The Ministry of Health made very clear that while that outbreak was over, we still expected cases.”

Anyone experiencing symptoms such as a fever, vomiting, a stiff neck and a red and or purple rash on their skin are to immediately get medical attention.

Meningococcal disease is a life-threating disease caused by bacteria.

It can cause infections in the lining of the brain and in the blood or both.

These conditions are very serious and can be deadly.

Last year, six people were also confirmed to have died from meningococcal disease.