THE diarrhea outbreak has so far claimed the lives of six children in four provinces.
Under-secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Service Dr Chris Becha revealed this yesterday.
“Of the six deaths, two were recorded in Western Province, two in Malaita, one in Guadalcanal and one in Honiara,” Dr Becha said.
Since the outbreak was announced last month, a total of 2,100 cases directly associated with the current outbreak were recorded nationwide.
Dr Becha said the deaths were all children below the age of five.
While diarrhea cases recorded in the Honiara and Guadalcanal have dropped in recent weeks, the outbreak is further recorded in other parts of the country with latest cases seen in Choiseul, Isabel, Malaita and Temotu provinces.
“There are signs that the outbreak is slowing down in Honiara and Guadalcanal, but there is an increase in diarrhea cases in Choiseul, Isabel, Malaita and Temotu,” Dr Becha said.
“With the wide spread of the outbreak we wish to advise parents and guardians to take extra care of their children especially when it comes to hygiene to prevent them from contracting diarrhea.
“Not only that, we also would like to advise parents to take their children to clinics if they see their children developing symptoms of the Rotavirus, which is responsible for the recent outbreak to avoid illness or even unwanted deaths.
“Symptoms of the Rotavirus usually appear approximately two to three days after infection; this includes vomiting, very watery diarrhea, often with fever and abdominal pain.”
Dr Becha said the ministry with the support of the World Health Organisation is monitoring the outbreak and keeping a close watch on the situation.
By BIRIAU WILSON SAENI
