At least five people have died from an outbreak of leptospirosis, dengue fever and typhoid diseases in Fiji since January.
The health ministry recorded 160 cases of leptospirosis from 1 January to 6 February.
Health professionals learning more about leptospirosis Photo: Pacific Community
Leptospirosis is a blood infection disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira.
The signs and symptoms of the disease can range from none to mild - headaches, muscle pains, and fevers - to severe bleeding in the lungs or meningitis.
Health Secretary, Dr James Fong, said on Monday that 53 cases of typhoid and 335 cases of dengue fever were also reported during the same period.
But the Opposition National Federation Party warned Fijians had lost confidence in the health system.
NFP leader, Biman Prasad, said the government did not have the capability to control the spread of the diseases which had resulted in deaths.
"Government needs to plan properly," he said.
"Government needs to allocate resources properly and ensure facilities in the remote health centres and clinics are available and that public health advocacy is in place so that people understand the dangers."
Prasad praised the government over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic which had received huge support from Fiji's international partners including Australia and New Zealand.
But the pandemic should not be the "reason the government ignores other health issues" such as LTDD diseases, he said.
Prasad said Health Minister Ifereimi Waqainabete, 'who regards himself as a senior medical practitioner and health and medical administrator, has been misleading parliament'.
Soldiers help clean up in the capital Suva. Photo: Supplied/Fiji govt
"If he can blame others and try and camouflage serious flaws in government's policy and its betrayal of promises regarding dialysis and shortage of basic medicine in public hospitals and health centres despite widespread evidence proving otherwise, how can anyone trust him to tell the truth regarding Leptospirosis and Dengue Fever?
"Therefore, we don't believe what the health minister tells both parliament and the people of Fiji about statistics and issues rewarding health and medical services."
Meanwhile, James Fong emphasised the need to retain control of the diseases as the ministry prepared for the Covid-19 vaccination rollout this year.
He said the ministry had sent teams around the country to educate people on reducing their risk of getting leptospirosis and to seek treatment early.
The recent floods in the country have escalated the surge in these communicable diseases, Dr Fong said.
Since the first case of the Covid-19 was reported on 19 March last year, Fiji has had 56 coronavirus cases, with 54 recoveries and 2 deaths.
The country has had no case in more than 300 days and it has conducted 27,932 coronavirus tests.
