*Three Dead, Scores Ill in Fiji Disease Outbreak*

By Xavier La Canna in Auckland

April 19, 2007 10:34am
Article from: AAP

THREE people have died and scores have become ill in outbreaks of
typhoid and leptospirosis in Fiji.

Acting director of Public Health in Fiji, Josaia Samuela, said one
person had died and 77 people had been confirmed with typhoid since the
beginning of the year, most in recent weeks.

There has also been reports of two deaths and 22 confirmed cases of
leptospirosis, a bacterial disease.

Dr Samuela said no tourists had been reported ill with typhoid or
leptospirosis, and the outbreaks appeared confined to rural areas where
visitors were unlikely to go.

Dr Samuela said a 32-year-old school teacher had died over the Easter
weekend and several students had come down with typhoid.

"There was probably a gathering, a feast, where food and water is
shared. It was all of a sudden, when a group of people fell ill," Dr
Samuela said.

He said leptospirosis was normally transferred to people from dogs and
rodents.

"They pass this material through their urine into the environment. It is
commonly found in muddy pools of water," he said.

He said up to 4000 people lived in villages at risk of typhoid or
leptospirosis outbreaks.

Australia yesterday expanded its warnings about travel to post-coup Fiji
to cover outbreaks of typhoid and mumps.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says its overall message
remains: "Exercise a high degree of caution when travelling in Fiji due
to the volatile political and security situation" following the military
coup of December 5.