More than 1,700 cases of dengue fever have been recorded in Solomon Islands, a month since the outbreak was declared.
The Asian tiger mosquito is one of the vectors responsible for transmitting dengue fever. Photo: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Dengue surveillance and awareness activities are being stepped up by the ministry of health as many people are expected to travel over the Christmas and New Year period.
The ministry's under-secretary Chris Becha said over 1,400 dengue cases were recorded in Honiara, 200 plus in the rest of Guadalcanal, 69 cases in Malaita Province, eight cases in Choiseul and one case in Isabel.
One infant has died, but so far 51 people admitted to the National Referral Hospital with the virus have been cured.
Dr Becha said with more dengue cases being reported outside Honiara, the challenge for the ministry is to contain the spread of the disease before the festive season.
The ministry is implementing the correct strategy and he is confident that the number of reported cases will soon decline he said.