The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) had an expert meeting last week in an effort to decide the future strategy in controlling typhoid fever in Fiji.
Fiji has one of the highest rates of typhoid fever in the world and if not treated with antibiotics could lead to death.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to diagnose this disease says the Ministry of Health.
“In many countries, including Fiji, many patients with typhoid fever are never diagnosed, so they may not get optimal treatment”, said Dr. Jacob Kool, of the WHO office for the South Pacific.
After Cyclone Tomas, Australia gave 1 million Australian dollars to control typhoid fever.
This made it possible for the first time to organize a typhoid fever vaccination campaign.
A total of 70,000 doses are being given to anyone over the age of 2 years in the areas that currently have outbreaks of typhoid fever.
This includes the Navosa area, Cakaudrove Province including Taveuni, Ra, and Jittu Estate in Suva.
The Ministry of Health and WHO invited leading typhoid fever experts from around the world to review the experiences of the vaccination campaign, and to give advice on how to continue from here, especially whether Fiji should expand the vaccination to the entire population.
“If Fiji would decide to vaccinate the entire population, then this would be a world first,” said Dr. Leon Ochiai of the International Vaccine Institute in Seoul.
“We know from experience in other countries that vaccination can dramatically reduce the impact of typhoid fever, so it may save many lives” said Dr Pem Namgyal, of the Immunization programme in WHO headquarters in Geneva.
“Fiji needs to decide if it is feasible, and what the best age for vaccination is” said Dr. Josaia Samuela, the national adviser for Family health and manager for the national immunization program.
Dr. Eric Mintz of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adds: “but we should make sure that the other activities to control typhoid fever in Fiji, including improvements in drinking water quality, sanitation and hygiene also continue”.
Typhoid fever is transmitted by ingestion of food or water contaminated by stool or urine of people who carry the bacteria.
People can protect themselves and others by washing their hands with soap after each visit to the toilet and before touching food or eating.
People should have access to proper sanitation. Water from rivers or creeks should be boiled or treated with chlorine before drinking.
The consultation is timely as the Ministry of Health simultaneously completed a two-day workshop yesterday to develop its strategic plan for 2011-2015 where the control of communicable diseases such as typhoid fever was discussed widely.
Minister for Health, Dr. Neil Sharma acknowledged the support of donor organizations and experts, in assisting Fiji’s efforts in responding to and controlling typhoid.