Health Ministry confirms diarrhoeal outbreak in Honiara and Guadalcanal
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) continues to actively monitor the increasing trend in diarrhoeal disease through its weekly syndromic surveillance system, and has confirmed diarrhoeal outbreaks in Honiara and Guadalcanal province.
From the latest surveillance information, a substantial increase of more than 800 (83.3%) compared to the previous weekly report. Most of the cases are from health facilities in Honiara and Guadalcanal.
From additional surveillance information, the majority of the cases identified are mostly children under five years specifically in the age group 1 to 4 years of age.
A total of 17 children below 10 years of age have been admitted with diarrhoeal symptoms to the NRH Children’s ward between the 30 May and 21 June 2025 and 13 of them are in the most affected age group. To date, no deaths have been reported.
Rotavirus has been detected by the National Referral Hospital (NRH) Medical Laboratory on 16th June 2025 as announced in the previous MHMS media release.
As of 25th June 2025, a total of nine out of 18 stool samples have tested positive for rotavirus on rapid diagnostic test (RDT).
Rotavirus is not a new disease for Solomon Islands however in previous rotavirus outbreaks there have been significant deaths in children under five years of age.
In the 2014 rotavirus outbreak, there were more than 4000 cases reported with 27 deaths and in 2015- 2016, more than 9000 cases with 32 deaths were reported. Majority of the deaths occur in the provinces.
Since 2020, rotavirus vaccine has been introduced for infants less than 6-months given at 6 weeks and 10 weeks old.
The rotavirus vaccine is highly effective to reduce the severity of rotavirus infection even during outbreaks. The situation is evolving and soon provinces will likely see an increasing trend in diarrhoea cases.
Also given there have been several mass gathering events happening in Honiara and Guadalcanal over the past two weeks and at present, there is increased risk for continuous spread of rotavirus to provinces.
Therefore, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is very concerned about the rise in cases and calls on everyone to continue good hygiene practices (e.g. washing of hands with soap and clean water or use of alcohol hand sanitizers).
Parents and guardians are advised to bring a child to a nearest clinic if there are signs and symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting.
Health teams in other provinces have been told to stay alert, keep good records of diarrhoea cases, and help spread hygiene messages.
Everyone was advised to stay safe and protect their families. Wash your hands often, drink clean water, and take your child to the clinic as soon as they get sick.
[end]
MHMS statement