The Northern Division of Fiji, despite having a smaller population than other regions, faces the highest incidence of typhoid. This information was shared by microbiology scientist Orisi Cabenatabua during a presentation at the Fiji Institute of Medical Laboratory Services (FIMLS) Annual Convention, where he discussed current trends in typhoid and vaccination initiatives.
Mr. Cabenatabua noted that the rate of typhoid in the Northern Division surpasses the national average. He explained that while the total number of typhoid cases in the North is lower than in the Central and Western divisions, this is primarily due to its smaller population, which is around 100,000 compared to approximately 600,000 in the Central Division.
The scientist emphasized that typhoid is prevalent across all age groups and divisions. He suggested that the high impact of the disease in the North could be linked to various factors including access to sanitation, hygiene practices, and climate change. He pointed out that typhoid cases often increase after cyclones, largely because access to sanitation is compromised during these disasters.
To address the epidemic, the Ty-Five project was introduced to enhance the current surveillance systems. This initiative aims to monitor patients visiting hospitals as well as conduct environmental sampling to identify sources of contamination. Mr. Cabenatabua explained that environmental contamination with salmonella could significantly contribute to the spread of typhoid.
He also mentioned a recent 10-week vaccination campaign and stated that current data indicates a reduction in cases compared to the same time last year, with the number of cases in October this year being less than half of those reported in October of the previous year.