http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=133794

 

250 dengue cases recorded  

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 

FIJI recorded more than 250 cases of dengue fever this year. 

In a report presented at the National Dengue Strategic Plan Consultation, the adviser for 
communicable diseases, Dr Eric Rafai, said the data was recorded from January to May.  

Dr Rafai said a simple blood test was done at the three divisional hospitals if the doctors suspected a 
patient had dengue fever. 

"The positive results are then sent to Mataika House for further testing," Dr Rafai said. 

He said there were two types of cases recorded, whether the case was an acute infection or whether 
the infection had been there for some time. 

Dr Rafai said some results were also sent to Australia for testing at the World Health Organisation 
reference centre. 

He advised the doctors to test samples for dengue if there were two or more cases from the same 
area. 

Dengue remains one of the most serious health problems in Fiji. 

The disease has become one of the most important mosquito borne virus diseases in the world.