SUVA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Ministry of Health declared an outbreak of the life threatening meningococcal disease on Tuesday.

The island nation with a population of about 890,000 has recorded 18 cases of the meningococcal disease as of Feb. 21, an increase from previous level.

The highest number of cases was in 2017 at 48, while 29 cases were recorded in 2016, according to statistics from the ministry.

Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides and can cause infections in the lining of the brain (meningitis) and in the blood (meningococcemia), or both.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has set up a Meningococcal Disease Taskforce to strengthen early detection and urgent treatment of patients suspected to have meningococcal disease at all health facilities.

The Health Ministry urged the public to identify the symptoms early and seeking urgent medical treatment at a health facilities if they feel sick, which is critical and will give a meningococcal patient the best chance of survival.

According to the World Health Organization, without appropriate medical treatment, up to 50 percent of people who get the disease die.

Most patients treated appropriately can recover fully, however 10 percent to 15 percent will still die, and around 20 percent will have permanent disabilities, including severe brain damage.

In 2017, 14.4 percent of all meningococcal patients in Fiji died.

The meningococcal disease bacteria are spread from person to person via transfer of saliva or spit.

The disease often occurs in babies, children under the age of five, teenagers and young adults.

Fijians have been urged to practice proper hygiene to prevent the spread of the disease by covering their mouths and nose with tissue or handkerchief when coughing and sneezing, among other measures.