{"id":1686,"date":"2026-05-04T02:18:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T02:18:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wishfiji.sydney.edu.au\/?p=1686"},"modified":"2026-05-08T02:18:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T02:18:27","slug":"strengthening-fijis-response-to-acute-febrile-illness-through-a-one-health-lens-surveillance-of-acute-febrile-illness-in-fiji-safi-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wishfiji.sydney.edu.au\/index.php\/2026\/05\/04\/strengthening-fijis-response-to-acute-febrile-illness-through-a-one-health-lens-surveillance-of-acute-febrile-illness-in-fiji-safi-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Strengthening Fiji\u2019s Response to Acute Febrile Illness through a \u2018One Health\u2019 Lens \u2013 Surveillance of Acute Febrile Illness in Fiji (SAFI study)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Acute Febrile Illness (AFI) commonly defined as sudden onset of a high grade fever, is one of the most significant public health hurdles in the Pacific region. While the symptoms often appear non-specific, such as headaches and fatigue, the underlying causes are diverse and can be life-threatening. In Fiji, diseases like leptospirosis, typhoid, and dengue are common causes of AFI, but there are many other unknown causes of that put a heavy strain on rural health systems. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Current Challenge: Identifying the “Why” Behind the Fever
<\/strong>Fiji has two major surveillance systems \u2013 the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System and the Eary Warning Alert and Response System (EWARS). Despite this, there is a lack in knowledge of unknown causes of fever especially in rural parts of Fiji, where diagnostic capacity is often stretched thin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many emerging and re-emerging diseases often present with febrile illness including arboviral infections such Zika, Chikungunya and Ross River Virus. Studies have found RRV seroprevalence rates as high as 47% in parts of the Pacific, highlighting the need for a system that can detect more than just the “usual suspects”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A New Model: Mid-Rewa Pilot
<\/strong>To bridge these gaps, a new pilot active surveillance study in the Naitasiri is being implemented with funding support from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade within the Watershed Interventions for Systems Health (WISH) Pacific program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking at the opening of the study in Vunidawa on Monday 4th<\/sup> May, 2026 \u2013 Prof. Meru Sheel, an infectious disease, epidemiologist and vaccinologist with the University of Sydney and the lead Investigator for the AFI Study said that \u201c the study design involves active identification of patients presenting with fever, combined with community engagement\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initiative will identify fever cases, and attempt to identify its causes and looks specific environmental and behavioral factors leading to disease. By monitoring trends at the Nakorosule Health Centre and Vunidawa sub-divisional hospital, researchers hope to pinpoint exactly why certain groups, such as young adults, males, and iTaukei communities remain at higher risk for infections like leptospirosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Echoing similar sentiments, Dr Pelasio Rounds, Sub-divisional Medical Officer (SDMO) Naitasiri said that \u201c studies like the AFI promote population-based approach to diseases as the interventions are guided by assessing community needs and resources\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Power of “One Health”
<\/strong>The SAFI study will apply a One Health<\/strong> approach, which recognizes that human health is deeply connected to the health of animals and the environment. In rural Fiji, this connection is clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n