Dengue fever on rise in Fiji

SUVA - Fiji has recorded 141 cases of dengue fever for the first three months of this year, local media reported Sunday.

The cases has been reported from the central, western and the northern divisions, with the north recording the highest, Health Ministry spokesman Shalvin Deo told the Fiji Times, adding that people who have had dengue before may get severe dengue if they are infected again.

"The symptoms of dengue include fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rashes, nausea and vomiting and mild bleeding such as nose or gum bleeding," said Deo, advising people experiencing severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting, red spots or patches on the skin, vomiting blood, drowsiness or irritability or difficulty in breathing to see a doctor immediately.

People should clean their compounds and bury empty tins and containers to stop mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant water, said Deo.