Western Fiji faces health threat in wake of floods

Health authorities in Fiji say raw sewage, dead cattle and poor drainage pose serious health problems in western Fiji in the wake of recent record floods.

The Fiji Times says authorities have mounted an intensive campaign in flood-affected areas amid rising fears of an outbreak of disease.

Authorities say the immediate danger is from dirty drinking water and the overflow of raw sewage from pit toilets.

Fiji's Ministry of Health has increased its manpower in the western division, to combat a rise in diseases such as diarrhoea, viral infections and influenza.

Health inspectors at Tavua have used chemicals to destroy mosquito breeding sites at Nabuna and Vanuakula, the communities hardest hit by last week's floods.

=A9 1999 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Tue Feb 2 05:15:01 1999 ( AEDT )
AEDT = Australian Eastern Daylight Time