Ministry of Health
Solomon Islands

MOH SARS Taskforce Updated 3
14th May 2003

1. Overview

Solomon Islands continue to monitor the international situation of SARS and the local measures undertaken to prevent the importation of the illnesses.
AS OF 12th MAY 2003, a cumulative total of 7,447 cases with 552 deaths have been reported from 29 countries. 
This represents an increase of 864 additional cases and 91 deaths since the update on 5th May 2003. 
WHO has advised travel restrictions to the following countries and areas for nonessential travels: 

Local transmission has occurred when one or more reported probable cases of SARS have most likely acquired their infection locally regardless of the setting in which this may have occurred. If no new locally acquired cases are identified 20 days after the last reported locally acquired probable case died or was appropriately isolated, the area will be removed from this list.

Pattern A     Imported probable SARS case(s) have produced only one generation of local probable cases, all of whom are
                    direct personal contacts of the imported case(s).

Pattern B     More than one generation of local probable SARS cases, but only among persons that have been previously
                    identified and followed-up as known contacts of probable SARS cases.

Pattern C     Local probable cases occurring among persons who have not been previously identified as known contacts of   
                    probable SARS cases.

Pattern Uncertain -- Insufficient information available to specify areas or extent of local transmission.

In the past weeks (from the 15th April to 9th May 03) there were total of 990 incoming passengers were screened by the local health quarantine officer. Thirty-two (32) came from the affected areas listed in the advisory flyer. None (0) had any history of contact or suffer the respiratory symptoms. However, contact address was taken for surveillance and contact tracing.
A legal instruments is being signed (on the 8th May 2003) by the Minister of Health Mr Benjamin Una, and gazetted to assist in re-enforcement all measures put in place to combat the illnesses locally.

2. Number of SARS Cases in the Solomon Islands

Suspected: = 0
Confirmed: = 0
Deaths: = 0

Solomon Islands has yet to record its first case.

3. Level of Risk

The level of risk as of 20 March 2003 WHO-WPRO which provisionally categorized member countries based on 3 levels of risk and 3 levels of capability to respond to the outbreak remained the same.

However, the MOH SARS Taskforce is concern over incoming passengers from China (Taiwan-ROC). As of today, there will be careful screening of incoming passengers from Taipei (Taiwan), Philippines-Manila, Mainland China and Singapore. 


3. MOH TASK FORCE: Strategies and prevention activities

    3.1. Public Health Prevention Measures:

        3.1.1. Existing:

                1. All existing measures continued.

        3.1.2. Newly introduced:


                1. A legal instrument to enforce the environment health act is being completed and signed on the 8th May 2003. It is
                    in the process of gazetting. 

                2. Additional Advisory Flyer is being printed and distributed. 

                3. Screening of all intended travelers to Solomon Islands from affected areas, has been inco-oporated in the past
                    week, by way of a SARS appraisal questionnaire distributed from the Immigration Department. The questionnaire
                    was developed by MOH SARS Taskforce for Immigration Department. A copy is attached. 

                4. Travel Ban- Restrictive travel is now extended to Taiwan, and Singapore (including the original list of China,
                    Hongkong).

                5. Therefore, All intended travelers to the countries listed above to consider postponing all but essential travel to the
                    above areas (new inclusions-Taiwan, Philippines, Singapore). All 'essential travellers' intended for Solomon Islands
                    must completed the 'SARS appraisal questionnaire'. This questionnaires should be posted at the travel agents,
                    foreign embassies, and the website.

                6. A date base (Epi-info) for surveillance of all incoming travelers is completed and data compilation in progress (despite
                    slow).


        3.1.3. Rumor Audit:

                ALL RUMOURS WILL BE INVESTIGATED 

                There has been no more rumors since the last one.


    3.2.Hospital Activities:


        3.2.1. Existing

            1. The SARS specialist medical Team is on standby.
            2. SARS dedicated line is functioning.
            3. Internal consultation meetings undertaken.

        3.2.2. Newly Introduced:

            1. SARS Isolation Ward (1 bed facility) is due to complete soon.


4. SARS Surveillance Reporting

Data entry of the database system (Epi-info) started this week. However a preliminary finding shows that:
From the 15th April to 9th May 03 there were total of 990 incoming passengers were screened by the local health quarantine officer (See table below). 
Thirty-two (32) came from the affected areas listed in the advisory flyer. 
None (0) had any history of contact or suffer the respiratory symptoms. However, contact address was taken for surveillance and contact tracing.

5. Areas for Improvement
There are areas still needing further strengthening and improvement. These areas are:
    1. Community contact tracing and surveillance.
    2. Public awareness through media
    3. Proper filling of the advisory flyer by incoming passengers.
    4. Communication with health quarantine officers from the seaports in certain provinces.

ANNEX TABLE (1) Record of incoming passengers in the past weeks monitored at the Henderson International Airport:

ANNEX TABLE (2) Record of SARS cases internationally.

ANNEX TABLE (3) Sample of the SARS Appraisal Questionnaires from Immigration Department:

In response to the recent outbreak of the SARS, the Solomon Islands Government is taking all practical measures to prevent imported cases of SARS and local transmission of the disease, hence, it is legitimated under Section 12 of Immigration Act Cap.60 that all intended travelers to Solomon Islands departing from affected countries and territories must complete this questionnaires and send it immediately to the Director of Immigration P.O.Box G26, Honiara, Tel+ 677 28841, Fax: +677 22808/+677 20085 and emails: immigration@commerce.gov.sb or ushc@solomon.com.sb or commerce@commerce.gov.sb. Solomon Islands is a developing country with limited resource to contain the disease once it is imported, therefore the support and compliance from all intended passengers and travelers to our islands is highly appreciated. 

Click here to download forms in PDF format( Print the forms, Fill it up and send by Fax or email to the following addresses. Director of Immigration, P.O.Box G26, Honiara, Tel+ 677 28841, Fax: +677 22808/+677 20085 and emails: immigration@commerce.gov.sb or ushc@solomon.com.sb or commerce@commerce.gov.sb.

The Ministry of Health SARS Taskforce is happy to provide further information or assistance to you. 
Please contact myself on 
Phone 24097 or mobile 72455  
email: Malefoasi@solomon.com.sb 
 Dr. Dennie Iniakwala on Phone 23404 or email: dennie@solomon.com.sb

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