Fijian outbreak of dengue

Fiji is suffering from a dengue fever outbreak with reports of as many as four people hospitalised a day.

People with dengue fever develop flu-like symptoms, which can result in death in older and younger sections of the community.

It is carried by mosquitoes, the breeding grounds of which were ordered to be destroyed by the public by the Fijian health ministry.

Temporary health minister Jiko Luveni confirmed there was a dengue fever outbreak in the national paper.

According to Xinhua, on Friday 53 cases had been reported throughout the country, resulting in hospitalisation at public and private facilities.

There is currently no cure for dengue, which is threatening Fiji's population of 853,445.

People who get the virus were encouraged to drink plenty of fluids by the interim health minister.

The minister may soon order a spraying campaign to kill the mosquito that carries the dengue virus.

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