A rare and deadly disease has been discovered in the Atori area of east Malaita last week.
Dr Chellion Evan of Atoifi Hospital told the Sunday Star that five patients have been diagnosed with Meningitis.
“Meningitis is a rare disease, but we’ve found five cases here with villagers of Atori,” Evan said.
“The five patients have been rushed to the hospital and were admitted with severe conditions,” he added.
Evan said meningitis can kill if patients fail to seek immediate medical attention.
“If you are a day or two late, the disease can claim your life,” he said.
He said they are closely monitoring the patients and the situation.
“We are also raising awareness about the disease,” Evan added.
He said treatment is expensive.
According to Evan, symptoms of meningitis are fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell, limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion.
Pneumococcal meningitis will occur when the bacteria that have invaded the bloodstream move across to infect the ‘meninges’ (the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord), Evan said.
He said that Pneumococcal Meningitis transform from human to human through tiny droplets that we give out when speaking or sneezing.
Evan warned Atori villagers to watch out for the meningitis and take extra care as they are closely monitoring the sickness.
He added that at the moment no treatment is available at the hospital for the patients.
Already, a team from the hospital has begun community outreach awareness.
Evan said meningitis is rare and new in Solomon Islands.
He said the patients have been kept isolated from the public.
By LESLEY SANGA