4 Jul 2016

Diarrhoea outbreak in Vanuatu kills 9

6:41 pm on 4 July 2016
People wait to be seen at the main hospital in Port Vila after Cyclone Pam. One wing was left standing.

Vila Central Hospital in Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila. Photo: RNZI / Koroi Hawkins

Nine people have died in recent weeks in Vanuatu of extreme dehydration due to an outbreak of diarrhoea.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reports the outbreaks have been confirmed in Malampa, Penama and Sanma provinces.

Parents have been advised to seek medical attention if their children reveal early symptoms of diarrhoea.

An officer with the Ministry of Health, George Worwor, said parents were not seeking medical care early enough.

He said medical surveillance officers were out promoting basic hygiene and investigating the source of the outbreak.