Disease outbreak concern on volcanic Vanuatu island

Vanuatu's national co-ordinator for emergency medical teams says the threat of infectious disease is an acute concern on the volcanically active Ambae Island.

The island's Manoro volcano has been erupting since late last year, and many islanders have been displaced internally due to ashfall and acid rain.

Basil Leodoro said this was causing psychological stress on people who had been forced to leave their homes and food gardens as a result of the eruptions.

Dr Leodoro said crowded evacuation centres and contaminated ground water created conditions suitable for disease outbreak.

"We're working very closely with the World Health Organisation and their team as well as our provincial staff who are based on Ambae to monitor the surveillance and disease reports coming in," he explained.

"That's always a threat when you have displaced people, poor hygiene and sanitation conditions."

Dr Leodoro posited that an outbreak of gastroenteritis, mumps or influenza could spread rapidly through Ambae's closely knit community.

Meanwhile, he said more work was required to ensure the aid delivered to Ambae got to people who needed it the most.

According to Dr Leodoro, shelter and accommodation, as well as hygiene and sanitation, were the most pressing concerns for Ambae's displaced population.

These concerns had been eased by the strong support coming from communities on neighbouring islands in Penama province, Maewo and Pentecost.

"I think the support for the people of Ambae is there," Dr Leodoro said.

"What is missing I think is a little bit of direction and planning in order to ensure that the help, or the aid, arrives to the people that need it the most."

There are two dedicated emergency medical teams currently on Ambae.