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A child has died from meningococcal disease in Fiji.
FBC reported the country's Ministry of Health has recorded four laboratory-confirmed cases of meningococcal disease within the Central Division in the past three weeks, including two children.
Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection which can lead to life-threatening complications. Common symptoms include fever, neck stiffness, confusion or altered mental status, headache, sensitivity to light, nausea, and vomiting.
The Ministry said while there are still no direct epidemiological links that have been identified among the cases, they have been reported from densely populated areas, and there is a need for heightened awareness and preventative measures.
It said it has provided prophylactic treatment to close contacts of confirmed cases to reduce the risk of spreading the disease, and has strengthened surveillance and reporting mechanisms to detect and respond to suspected cases quickly.
Fiji declared a meningococcal outbreak in March 2018, following 48 reported cases in 2017, nearly double the number in 2016, and more cases in early 2018.
Six people died, including five children under five.
In response, more than 281,000 children in Fiji below the age of 19 were immunised during a mass meningococcal vaccination programme.
In 2019, Fijians were urged to stop sharing the kava bowl to prevent the disease - which is shared through saliva - spreading.
In Aotearoa, from 2019 to December 2024, there were 364 cases which resulted in 21 deaths. Māori and Pasifika people accounted for 195 of the 364 cases.
New Zealand's Ministry of Health recommends students are vaccinated against the disease before heading to tertiary education.
