Gizo Hospital at the provincial capital of Western Province has recorded a steady rise in malaria cases over the past few weeks and months.
Health officials at the hospital confirmed that most of the recent cases are Plasmodium vivax (PV), one of the two most common types of malaria parasites in the Solomon Islands.
Speaking to the Solomon Star, nurses at the hospital’s Outpatient Department said, the number of patients presenting with malaria symptoms is increasing gradually.
“We are seeing a noticeable rise in cases, especially among children and the elderly.
“The majority of these are PV cases,” a nurse said.
The surge is not limited to residents within Gizo town. Reports of malaria infections have also come in from surrounding communities and nearby islands including Simbo, Ranongga, and parts of Vella. This wide spread of cases suggests that transmission is occurring both within and beyond the urban area.
Health officials are now urging residents to take preventive actions, such as sleeping under treated mosquito nets, wearing protective clothing in the evenings, and eliminating mosquito breeding sites near homes by clearing stagnant water.
“We want to remind the public that malaria is preventable and treatable. It’s important to seek medical attention early if you experience symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, or joint pains,” another nurse added.
With the current rainy season creating ideal conditions for mosquito breeding, health authorities fear the number of cases could continue to climb if swift community action is not taken.
Local clinics and health workers are working closely with provincial health teams to step up surveillance, conduct awareness campaigns.
Western Provincial Health and Medical Services is yet to confirmed whether distribution of bed nets can be available and it will also depends on the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to address this issue.
Gizo residents are being urged to remain vigilant and support ongoing efforts to contain the outbreak.
In the Solomon Islands, malaria deaths have decreased significantly in recent years, despite a slight increase in incidence. In 2021 and 2022, 9 deaths were reported due to malaria each year, according to the MHMS.
This translates to a low death rate of 146 deaths per year, which is 3.20% of the total deaths in the country.
While the number of deaths due to malaria has remained relatively low, the incidence of the disease has been increasing in recent years.
In the two years leading up to April 2023, the incidence of malaria increased by 8.4%, and the Solomon Islands accounted for the second highest number of cases in the Western Pacific region, with 9% of the overall reported cases.
Despite this increase, the number of deaths reported due to malaria remained low, with nine (9) deaths reported in 2021 and 2022.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
