Fiji

Fiji confirms 7 measles cases

The latest cases include a seven-month-old, a three-month-old and a 19-year-old.

The two infants are currently in a hospital isolation ward.

The Outbreak Response Team is conducting measures such as isolation, quarantine and vaccination of contacts and at risk communities.

During the weekend, health authorities were notified of a suspected case of measles within the Tongan rugby team that had arrived to play in a regional tournament.

Fiji thwart BaaBaas fightback to win Twickenham thriller

A largely inexperienced Fijian side produced some magical rugby with man of the match, Fijian Drua flanker John Dyer, scoring a brace of second-half tries to deny England head coach Eddie Jones - who took charge of the Barbarians for the game - a victorious homecoming.

"This is a big win for the boys after not such a good year," said Dyer, referring to Fiji's group stage exit at the World Cup.

The Fijians may largely have their careers in front of them but for two of the Barbarians side their days of glory are coming to an end.

Measles outbreak: 6 quarantined in Fiji

The families in the Serua/Namosi subdivision, near Suva, have been isolated since the outbreak was confirmed four days ago, the Fiji Times reports.

One of them, Nancy Patricia, told the newspaper that she had been placed on medication and told not to leave her house since she was discharged from hospital.

Authorities are conducting a vaccination drive in the surrounding area, and are urging any travellers to get immunised before they leave the country.

The government said there had been no new cases since three instances of measles were confirmed last week.

PNG and Fiji meet in Oceania Cup Pacific Test today

For PNG to advance, they will need to beat the Bati by more than 20 points, but for Kumuls coach Michael Marum promotion is not their top priority.

"At the back of our minds that's what we want but we want to take out one game at a time," he said.

"It's going to be a tough one this weekend against Fiji. We have a strong side we put together for this game and the boys are looking forward to the match on Saturday."

Fiji declares measles outbreak

In a statement released today, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services  declared an outbreak of measles for the Serua/Namosi Subdivision.

There have been two confirmed cases and two suspected cases reported from Wailali Settlement in Wainadoi about 25km out of Suva.

Three of the cases have recovered or are recovering at home, and one is currently admitted in hospital.

Accused pleads not guilty to murdering family of 5 in Fiji

Isoof pleaded not guilty to five counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in the High Court in Lautoka today.

The bodies of carpenter, Nirmal Kumar, 63, his wife, Usha Devi, their 34-year-old daughter, Nileshni Kajal and Kajal's two daughters aged 11 and 8 years were found in Nausori Highlands about 30km away from Nadi.

Fijivillage reports Kajal’s one-year-old niece was found crawling nearby.

Isoof has been remanded in custody until 19 November.

     

Photo Fijivillage 

4 men charged with trafficking 39kg of cocaine in Fiji

Dutch national Marc Winston, Shaneil Autar, Roshneel Kumar and Pravishek Narayan have been charged with one count each of unlawful possession and supply of illicit drugs.

Winston and Autar have also been charged with one count of unlawful exportation of illicit drugs.

It is alleged that on 7 October 2019, Winston, Autar, Kumar and Narayan engaged in dealing with the transfer, transport, and supply of 39.36 kg of cocaine between Lautoka and Nadi.

Fiji offers free measles vaccines

Fiji's Health Ministry said it was closely monitoring the outbreak, which has already moved to Samoa and Tonga.

The ministry is also rolling out training for health workers and urging the public to ensure children are vaccinated before going overseas, especially to New Zealand, Samoa, or Tonga.

"Outbreaks around the world, including in neighboring countries, puts us at risk of having travel related cases of measles," the ministry said in a statement Friday.

Fiji's Mt Washington a high-risk area - officials warn

Villagers should refrain from diving and fishing in coastal waters following reports of submarine rumblings and what sounded like explosions, the NDMO said.

People should also avoid the mountain's slopes, the office said, describing the situation as "high-risk".

The NDMO and the Mineral Resources Department were despatching an assessment team to the area today, a spokesperson said.

A full media briefing is expected later today.

The warning follows a magnitude 5.1 quake in the area on Sunday, which has been followed by multiple aftershocks.

Pacific nations call on World Rugby to do more

Fiji were the last Pacific side to reach the quarter finals in 2007 and bowed out of contention at the current tournament with a narrow defeat by Japan on Wednesday.

Between the end of the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the start of the current tournament Fiji played eight tests against so-called tier one nations, winning three and losing five.

That included victory over France in Paris last year which lifted the Flying Fijians to a best ever eighth place in the world rankings.