Fiji’s health authorities have ruled out a meningococcal outbreak after confirming that four recent cases in the Central Division are not linked and no secondary infections have been detected.
However, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is continuing to urge the public to stay alert and practise good hygiene, as the disease can spread rapidly through close contact.
The cases, reported between April 21 and May 5, were caused by different strains of the disease — serogroups B, Y, and W135.
Investigations found that the individuals had no known contact with one another, and follow-up monitoring of close contacts has not identified any further cases.
“Investigations also confirmed that the cases are not epidemiologically linked, meaning the individuals had no known contact with one another during their incubation or illness periods,” a ministry statement said. “Therefore, it does not meet the criteria for an outbreak.”
“Contact monitoring of the close contacts of the four cases has continued, with no secondary cases detected in the Central Division or among the close contacts of the confirmed cases since.”
Despite the development, the ministry has implemented a series of containment and prevention measures.
These include providing prophylactic antibiotics to all close contacts of confirmed cases, enhancing disease surveillance in high-risk communities, and launching public awareness campaigns through radio, television, and social media platforms.
The ministry has also conducted training for frontline health workers, equipping them with standard case definitions, clinical management protocols, and public health response guidelines. More capacity-building sessions are scheduled in the coming days.
Authorities are also working with partners to boost the country’s vaccine stocks.
Meningococcal disease is spread through respiratory droplets, particularly during prolonged or close contact with an infected person. The ministry continues to stress the importance of regular handwashing and good respiratory hygiene as key protective measures.
Members of the public are being urged to be alert for early symptoms of the disease, which include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and in some cases, rash. Health officials are urging anyone showing these signs to seek immediate medical attention.
