Health

Measles immunization campaign begins in Central Division today

December 4, 2019 7:06 am

Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum urged parents to act responsibly when it comes to vaccinations.

The second phase of the measles immunization campaign will begin in the Central Division today.

The focus remains in the Serua/Namosi, Suva and Rewa areas of the central division as the number of measles cases has increased to 15 with the latest case found in Nasilai village in Nakelo.

The Sub-divisional Outbreak Response Team has quarantined Nasilai villagers who may have been exposed to the airborne illness.

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The Health Ministry is reminding everyone to avoid unnecessary travel to any high-risk areas.

Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum urged parents to act responsibly when it comes to vaccinations.

“It’s also the attitude of parents and people need to take up responsibility and get their children vaccinated at a very early age.”

While speaking on ABC’s current affairs show Q&A at USP last night, Sayed-Khaiyum highlighted that Fiji has an interesting history with measles.

“Back in 1875 one of the chiefs went to Sydney and he came back in the chiefly meeting where 69 chiefs were infected and we lost approximately, the figures are 25,000 to 40,000 Fijians lost their lives at that point in time around 1875.”

There are 15 confirmed measles cases nationally, 11 in Serua/Namosi Subdivision and 4 from Suva and Rewa.

In light of this outbreak, the graduation ceremony for USP’s Pacific Technical and Further Education students has been cancelled.