Dengue and Malaria in Solomon Islands

04 Apr 2023

A Ministry of Health official reported increases in the number of malaria and dengue cases in Honiara, Malaita, Central Islands, Guadalcanal and Temotu Provinces of the Solomon Islands.

It was suggested that increased transmission may be due to the current wet season. In addition transmission may be negatively affected by low stocks of medicines, including malaria prevention and treatment drugs, and the inability to carry out mass spraying against mosquitoes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The official stated that mass spraying for malaria and dengue mosquitoes will be conducted in communities and also at household level.

Advice for Travellers

Dengue

Dengue is an infection spread by mosquito bites that can cause a severe flu-like illness. There is no vaccine against dengue in the UK. The mosquitoes which transmit dengue bite during the day, between dawn and dusk. They are particularly persistent and aggressive.

If you are travelling to an affected region, you are potentially at risk of dengue fever and should be aware of this infection.

• You can protect yourself by avoiding mosquito bites at all times.

Malaria

Malaria is a potentially serious infection that is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. If you travelling to this area you should:

• understand your risk of malaria
• see a travel health professional for a malaria risk-assessment and to obtain tablets to prevent malaria (antimalarials) for your trip
• know how to protect yourself against mosquito bites during your trip

If you develop a high temperature (fever) during your trip, or if you have recently returned from a country where malaria is a risk, you should always seek medical advice as soon as possible and tell the doctor about your recent travel history.

See the fitfortravel malaria and dengue fever pages for further information