Measles In The City: Movement Is Restricted For Kiribati Group After New Suspected Case Is Being Tested
A new suspected case of measles in Samabula, Suva, has been reported.
This time a child from a visiting Kiribati group, comprising 10 adults and seven children, showed symptoms of the disease.
The visitors are staying at the Patron House (hostel) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the church’s temple complex in Samabula.
They are here to attend the temple for two weeks. The child was tested on Saturday and the result will be known today. Every member of the group has been vaccinated.
Four days ago, a pregnant woman from Samabula was confirmed as the tenth case of measles in the country.
Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said they had dealt with the Kiribati case accordingly.
Elder Adolf Johansson of the LDS Church said they were following the instructions given to them by the Ministry of Health.
“There was a child who came in with the group. He had fever and was taken to the hospital where they were told that he displayed symptoms of measles,” Mr Johansson said.
“All members of the contingent were vaccinated on Saturday and blood samples taken. We are awaiting the test results tomorrow (today).”
Mr Johansson said the Ministry of Health advised the Kiribati contingent to restrict their movements.
Patron House is at the top floor of a one storey-building that also houses the church’s service centre on the ground floor.
Mr Johansson said all those employees who wished to stay away as a precaution could do so. The service centre is responsible for all the church administration in Fiji and other Pacific islands
On church services, he said there was also no specification by the Ministry of Health on what was classified as mass gathering. He said once that happened then they would adhere to the regulations. Until then church services will continue as normal.
Meanwhile, Scripture Union Fiji SUIS Annual Camp where more than 500 youths from all over Fiji attend was cancelled last evening after an advice from the Ministry of Health.
Scripture Union Fiji president Sitiveni Kalou said they would adhere to the ministry instructions. However, a group of almost 100 youths from the North were on their way to Viti Levu.
He said they would spend a day or two before returning.
Dr Waqainabete said Fiji’s good immunisation rate of 94 per cent meant there was herd immunisation and the spread of the measles could be prevented. He said 200,000 batches of vaccines were arriving tomorrow from Denmark and mass vaccination would commence once the stock was received and distributed to health centres.
Of the 10 cases in the country, eight are from the Serua- Namosi area, one is in Korinivia and one in Samabula. Edited by Jonathan Bryce
