Health warnings for flood-stricken Fiji

Health authorities in Fiji have warned of a possible typhoid outbreak following four
days of torrential rains which have flooded large areas and killed seven people.
Australian tourists stranded at resorts on Fiji's storm-ravaged western coastline
say the mood is "approaching panicky" as they prepare for more wild weather.
Days of torrential rain have flooded rivers and roads, and cut power and water
supplies to some areas of the Pacific nation, triggering a state of emergency in the
western, resort-laden coast.
Seven people have been killed in the storms, including a young girl, and more than
9,000 Fijians are being cared for in emergency shelters.
Hundreds of Australian tourists have been confined to their island beach resorts and
in hotels around the flooded tourist town of Nadi, home to Fiji's international
airport.
The nation's Disaster Management Office has advised stranded tourists to stay where
they are, and warned that another tropical depression resembling a cyclone is
approaching the country.
"It is not looking good for this whole week so we are urging people to stay put,"
said disaster office spokesman Pajiliai Dobui.
Brisbane woman Jane Bullock, who is holidaying at the Sheraton resort at Denarau
Island just off the coast from Nadi, said the family getaway had turned into a
nightmare.
"We'd planned this holiday for a year but it's just turned into absolute hell," said
Ms Bullock, speaking from the resort on a mobile phone.
"Looking out to sea right now, I see another storm front coming our way. It's scary
stuff, and there's more than a mild panic setting in."
She said food at the resort was in limited supply, the hotel phones did not work and
tourists were angry at how the disaster was being handled.
"It's totally chockers with Australians and some Kiwis and there's no information
about what we can do or what's being done here or at home to help us," Ms Bullock
said.
She had yet to receive consular assistance for her five-year-old son who had
developed a gastro bug and was prone to seizures.
Sydneysider John Macleay, who had been in Fiji with his wife and teenage daughters,
said it was a "total relief" to arrive back in Australia on Monday.
"We feel lucky to be out of there," he said.
"It was a terrible situation, long queues, a lot of stressed and upset people, and
very few flights that you can get on."
A spokeswoman for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said about
1,000 Australians were officially registered as holidaying in Fiji, but it was still
unknown how many had had their holiday disrupted by the weather.
"We advise Australians in Fiji and who are affected by the floods to follow the
instructions of local authorities," she said.
The Fiji weather bureau has predicted another violent tropical storm will hit on
Wednesday, bringing strong gusty winds in squalls, rough seas and severe flooding of
rivers.
"We've been told to be on cyclone watch," Ms Bullock said. "That's really not what
you want to hear."
Meanwhile, health authorities in Fiji have warned of a possible typhoid outbreak
following the torrential rain.
With three towns under water and another tropical depression threatening, Fiji's
health ministry on Monday urged people to collect rainwater to drink and to beware
of contamination that could cause typhoid, dengue fever and diarrhoea.
A state of emergency remains in force in the western division of the main island
Viti Levu, where Nadi, Sigatoka and Ba were still closed to allow civic authorities
to mop up as floodwaters receded.
Dusk to dawn curfews were enforced in the towns to prevent looting of abandoned
homes and stores.
With food supplies running short, a New Zealand tourist on the resort island of
Denarau told NZ's TV3 channel that restaurants were closed and holiday-makers were
effectively confined to their rooms.
Power supplies were cut in some places, drinking water was restricted and telephone
lines were down.
Fiji's ruler, military strongman Frank Bainimarama, on Monday launched a worldwide
appeal for aid to support the government's National Disaster Relief and
Rehabilitation Program, the independent Fijilive news website reported.