17 Jun 2013

Greater vigilance in Solomon Islands behind dengue drop

7:13 pm on 17 June 2013

There has been a reduction in the number of dengue fever cases being reported in Solomon Islands.

The disease has killed 6 people since it broke out five months ago, with the number of suspected cases to date being close to 6,000.

Health officials say at one point there were 500 cases of dengue fever being reported each week.

This has now been reduced to about 200 cases a week, with the majority of infections coming from the capital, Honiara.

The permanent secretary of health and medical services, Dr Lester Ross, says they have become more vigilant in monitoring dengue fever.

"We need to work closely with other sectors, especially with Honiara Council because at the end of the day, it's their sole responsibility to make sure that refuse are collected regularly. We also work closely with the communities to continue to remind them that it's important to clean up their communities so that it doesn't allow for breeding sites, for rodents and for insects that transmit diseases."

Dr Lester Ross says the rain has also stopped over the past 3 to 4 weeks which may have helped the drop in cases.