A lecturer in environmental health at Fiji's Medical School says the current dengue outbreak is similar to peaks seen in 2003 and 2008 and highlights the country's need for an insect specialist.
Dr Amelia Turagabeci says she's studied the occurrence of leptospirosis, typhoid and dengue in Fiji to evaluate service delivery.
She says a lot of work has gone in to limiting dengue but environmental officers need adequate resources and support.
They need to be fully equipped, particularly with transportation. They need to actually go around and monitor those areas with larval sampling and all that. And currently they need to have an entomologist a full time entomologist within the Ministry of Health. Those are the findings from our latest study.
Dr Turagabeci says mosquitoes in Fiji can transmit dengue and so prevention is focused on hygiene, sanitary practices and waste management.