The cabinet was expected to declare a state of emergency at its meeting on Thursday in response to the outbreak of dengue fever that through Wednesday had seen 30 people confirmed as positive for the flu-like illness.
The numbers have skyrocketed from the first three announced last Friday, with more expected as Health Secretary Justina Langidrik said those infected range in age from four to 48 and come from all parts of the capital island.
The state of emergency will focus on launching a nationwide mass cleanup campaign to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. The aim is to get government agencies, businesses, non government groups, communities, churches and families involved in cleaning up to remove breeding locations as the best prevention method for this mosquito-borne problem.
The Ministry of Health will also be making recommendations about restricting travel from Majuro to the outer islands to reduce the possibility of spreading dengue to the dozens of remote islands in the country.
The state of emergency will be in effect for 120 days unless it is terminated earlier.