Dengue fever outbreak

This week the health ministry announced four people had died from dengue while 10 others died from leptospirosis this year.

Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said between January and July, 3300 dengue cases and 1000 cases of leptospirosis were recorded.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease which, without treatment, can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress and death.

The bacteria is often spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive for weeks

The dengue outbreak began in November last year.

According to the Ministry of Health, there were 290 cases from January to June, with the majority occurring in the capital.

Last month there were 106 cases alone.

Nearly half the dengue victims are people aged between 10 and 29 years, with more males affected than females.

The state government is undertaking an aggressive cleanup of Koror, aiming to remove breeding sites for mosquitoes.

Unconfirmed reports say at least 70 residents have been diagnosed with dengue, including a number of asylum seekers.

The government is giving all public servants permission to finish work an hour early from today through to 8 March so they can go home and clear rubbish, cut grass and remove containers of stagnant water.

The aim is to reduce mosquito breeding sites.

Nauru Public Health is encourages anyone showing symptoms of the disease to report immediately to the hospital or the various wellness centres around the island.