The region is still increasingly at risk of the A/H1N1 flu, otherwise known as Swine Flu, as confirmed cases increase around the world, especially in countries with links to the region.
The latest update from the World Health Organisation (WHO), 48 countries have officially reported 13,398 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 95 deaths.Countries with direct link to the region are of the most concern. Australia has 39 cases, New Zealand is still at 9 and the United States has 6764 cases. A cause for concern as well is that cases have increased in the neighboring Asian region with Japan confirming 360 cases while Korea has 21 cases.
Meanwhile, last week, according to a report by Fiji Times Online, the Fiji Health Ministry stated that the question of the virus reaching the country is not a case of if but when, saying it was just a matter of time before the virus reaches the country.
The ministry said Fiji needed to be on full alert with its health system ready to treat patients because it was not a question of whether the virus would reach Fiji, but when.
"And Fiji being the hub of the South Pacific, we were more at risk than any other country in the region," it stressed.
According to the report, Fiji has direct flights to Australia,New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United States of America, the United Kingdom,Japan andCanada; all of which have reported confirmed cases of the A/H1N1 flu.
The complete list of affected countries along with confirmed cases can be found at the link below: