Health authority is closely monitoring increasing trend in flu-like illness and public urged to be vigilant
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is closely monitoring the flu-like illness situation in the country through its routine disease surveillance system. Surveillance data indicate a slight increase of people presenting to health-care facilities with influenza like symptoms in some parts of Honiara, Western, Isabel and Malaita provinces over the past three months. While this increase is being carefully monitored it remains between expected seasonal patterns and does not meet the criteria for an outbreak.Such fluctuations in respiratory illnesses are common during certain periods of the year and may be influenced by prevailing weather conditions, which can increase the circulation of respiratory viruses in the community.
Flu-like illness spreads easily through infected people when they cough or sneeze, and the most common symptoms include fever, dry cough, body aches, runny nose, and sore throat.
Recent surveillance data from the weekly syndromic surveillance system showed a slight increase in the number of cases in the last reporting week of June 15-21. However, there’s been a gradual increase in the weekly trends of influenza-like illness over the last three months.
Routine laboratory testing data from the National Medical Laboratory Molecular Unit has detected RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) in 1 out of 5 samples tested in the same reporting week of June 15-21. However, there has been ongoing circulation of RSV and seasonal influenza A and B since January of this year. RSV is one of the most common causes of respiratory infections in children and the elderly population.
The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor public health actions on ILI situation.
Therefore, public are advised to stay at home when feeling unwell, wearing masks in crowded or poorly ventilated areas, practicing regularly good hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes, and seeking medical attention if symptoms become severe or persistent.
Clinical staff across all healthcare facilities are advised to reinforce standard and droplet precautions. This includes actively screening and triaging respiratory cases at entry points, ensuring strict compliance with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), maintaining adequate ventilation in clinics, and increasing the disinfection of high-touch surfaces.
The general public are encouraged to rely on credible health information from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and World Health Organization (WHO).
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