4 Jun 2014

WHO urges prompt action after Solomons diarrhoea outbreak

4:22 pm on 4 June 2014

The World Health Organisation says young children in Solomons Islands are particularly vulnerable to severe effects of dehydration and it's urging parents to seek medical advice to limit the spread of diarrhoea illness.

An epidemiologist Jennie Musto says the WHO is now reporting a total of nine outbreaks across Solomon Islands, with 16 young children dying and more than 1,000 people infected with the illness in the past two weeks.

She says the outbreaks are thought to be caused by rotavirus and could continue for up to another month.

She says early action by parents is key.

"If your child develops diarrhoea take them to a health centre and they will get appropriate treatment, which is oral rehydration salts and zinc tablets which will prevent severe dehydration. If you're worried about your child, if they seem as if they're dehydrated or they'e not drinking adequately, take them to a health centre."

WHO epidemiologist, Dr Jennie Musto.