The province of Navosa in Fiji is less developed with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) standards below other provinces in Fiji. In February, 2022 Navosa suffered an outbreak of Leptospirosis cases leading to severe disease, hospitalization, and death. The Fiji Emergency Medical Assistance Team (FEMAT) was activated to respond.

To describe FEMAT response to the Leptospirosis outbreak in a rural island setting.

FEMAT joined the local public health team based out at the Keyasi Hospital with early contact tracing occurred for 26 villagers and 37 of 63 settlements were surveyed for early case detection. It provided additional support to the local clinical team with case management. Health inspectors supported community awareness sessions, and distribution of purification tablets and WASH Kits.

The team was able to treat 12 cases in the community with an additional of 20 acute febrile illnesses in the contact tracing. 87 cases of leptospirosis were treated at the hospital. Therefore, the team treated 99 cases of leptospirosis directly preventing more severe presentation to health facilities. Our health inspectors distributed 200 WASH kits in five communities.

The FEMAT response assisted in the containment and control of the leptospirosis outbreak in the Navosa province while at the same time provided community outreach, preventative care, and surgical management in a rural island community.