The special advisory notice was published in today’s edition of the Solomon Star newspaper, and I quote it because of its essential health warning.
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Parents must take all precautionary measures to protect your children from diarrhoea.
This is in light of the rising number of diarrhoea cases having been reported over the past weeks.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) through its surveillance system last week issued an alert notice.
So far six young children have died from diarrhoea related symptoms.
Five deaths have occurred in the Western Province and one death in Guadalcanal province as of last week.
Spikes in diarrhoea cases were reported mainly in Gizo Hospital in the Western Province, Good Samaritan Hospital in Guadalcanal, Lata Hospital, in Temotu Province and the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara.
The most affected age group were children under five (0-4) years.
It was reported that most of the cases have been presented with diarrhoea and vomiting.
Diarrhoea and vomiting can cause severe dehydration, which can lead to death in babies and young children.
Parents are advised to take babies and infants to the nearest clinic as soon as they are experiencing watery diarrhoea, vomiting and fever or are showing signs of severe dehydration.
Signs of dehydration include:
• a dry or sticky mouth
• few or no tears when crying
• eyes that look sunken
• in babies, the soft spot (fontanelle) on top of the head looks sunken
• peeing less or fewer wet diapers than usual
• dry, cool skin
• irritability and tiredness
• drowsiness or dizziness
The health authorities have warned the public not to use custom medicine. Custom medicine can kill babies and young children if they do not get enough fluids.
Children with mild to moderate dehydration due to diarrhoea need plenty of fluids. It's done by giving a special liquid called an oral rehydration solution (ORS) over the course of 3 to 4 hours.
So its important to immediately seek the help of health care workers to get appropriate advice on preparation and use of ORS for your child, if the child develops diarrhoea.
As part of routine surveillance activity, 15 stool specimens were tested of which five (5) tested positive for Rotavirus on rapid diagnostic test (RDT); three (3) of the positive cases were from Gizo Hospital and 2 positive cases from Good Samaritan Hospital.
The National Medical Laboratory has sent some samples to the Royal Brisbane Hospital for further confirmation and investigation.
Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhoeal disease among infants and young children. Solomon Islands has had two rotavirus outbreaks in recent years 2014 and 2015-2016.
More than 4,000 cases and 27 deaths were recorded in the 2014 outbreak and more than 9,000 cases and 32 deaths were recorded in the 2015-2016 outbreak.
Solomon Islands launched and rolled out the rotavirus vaccine in 2020 for babies less than 6-months (two doses given at 10 weeks and 14 weeks).
The Ministry of Health strongly advises the public to regularly wash their hands with soap in clean running water after going to the toilet, after touching dirty surfaces and before eating or preparing food.
Properly cover food and ensure drinking bottles and containers are properly covered from flies. Always boil drinking water.
Parents if you have babies who are 10 or 14 weeks old, and yet to receive the rotavirus vaccine, please visit your nearest clinic for vaccination.
Rotavirus can spread easily from one person to another by touching the vomit or faeces of an infected person.
