Health

Over 1,500 dengue cases for the first 4 months

August 23, 2019 3:01 pm

Fiji has recorded 1,894 Dengue Fever cases in the first four months of this year, but officials say a project now underway will reduce numbers in future years.

Nine people died from Dengue Fever last year and there were 4000 cases officially recorded.

The World Mosquito Program has this week released Wolbachia mosquitoes in Nadi, Lautoka and Nausori as part of phase two of a project to block the insects from transmitting the disease.

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An official with the program, Eremasi Seru, said the first phase had involved releases in the capital Suva and surrounding areas including Nakasi, Cunningham, Tamavua, Tacirua and Kinoya since July last year.

Seru adds that discussions are underway for wolbachia infected mosquitoes to be released in Sigatoka, Ba and Nausori, he said.

Wolbachia is a naturally-occurring bacteria in 60 percent of insect species such as butterflies and moths, which blocks the transmission of the dengue virus.

The Health Ministry said in a statement that it was encouraging to see the increasing levels of mosquitoes carrying the dengue-preventing Wolbachia bacteria.

World Mosquito Program co-ordinator Aminiasi Tavui said it would take time for the wolbachia to fully establish in the local mosquito population.

He adds that he is confident there would be a reduction in dengue fever cases in the long-term.