Vila Central Hospital in Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila. Photo: RNZI / Koroi Hawkins
Nine people have died in recent weeks in Vanuatu of extreme dehydration due to an outbreak of diarrhoea.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reports the outbreaks have been confirmed in Malampa, Penama and Sanma provinces.
Parents have been advised to seek medical attention if their children reveal early symptoms of diarrhoea.
An officer with the Ministry of Health, George Worwor, said parents were not seeking medical care early enough.
He said medical surveillance officers were out promoting basic hygiene and investigating the source of the outbreak.