SUVA, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services is taking steps to prevent outbreak of any potential diseases after tropical cyclone Mona brought heavy rain and flooding to the island nation, according to a government statement on Monday.
Minister for Health and Medical Services Ifereimi Waqainabete said that health officials have already started to assess the situation in communities, according to the statement.
"We have been very fortunate that the weather conditions is not as bad as we expected. However with the heavy downpour and people taking shelter at the evacuation centers, there are always possibilities of disease outbreaks. So our focus is on public health," Waqainabete said.
"We will continue to strengthen our public health capability. There is always a possibility of disease outbreak, so we will be visiting villages, places, inspecting the environment and providing the right advice to people. Prevention is better than cure."
Health officials are making regular visits to evacuation centers as well and giving out wash kits to evacuees.
The Health Ministry is strongly advising people to boil drinking water, practice good hygiene habits and ensure their homes, compounds and surroundings to be clean.
Tropical cyclone Mona has severely affected Fiji, with roads being closed, flights cancelled and thousands of people sheltered in evacuation centers across the nation.
In 2016, Fiji was hit by the full force of tropical cyclone Winston, which left 44 people dead and destroyed tens of thousands of houses.
