Ministry of Health

Ministry of Health
Solomon Islands

MOH SARS Taskforce Updated 2
30th April 2003

1. Overview:

It is 63 days since the first case of SARS was notified in China, and 45 days since the MOH SARS Taskforce was mobilized
and activated.

As of 29^th April 2003, a cumulative total of 5,462 cases with 353 deaths have been reported from 27 countries. This represents an increase of 429 new cases and 60 deaths since the last update on 26^th April 2003.

Note: The Customs, Civil Aviation, Quarantine, Travel Agents and Shipping Agents are co-opted members of the MOH SARS Task Force

2. Number of SARS Cases in the Solomon Islands

Suspected/confirmed/deaths (0/0/0)

Solomon Islands has yet to record its first case.

3. Level of Risk

As of 20 March 2003 WHO-WPRO has provisionally categorized member countries based on 3 levels of risk and 3 levels of capability to respond to the outbreak.

Risk Categories

                        R1            countries where cases have been reported
                        R2            where traffic risks exist between these and R1 countries
                        R3            all other WPR countries

Capability to Respond Categories

                        C1            countries needing the most assistance from WHO in terms
                                        of emergency supplies, enhanced surveillance and technical assistance
                        C2            countries with limited national resources and requiring some emergency assistance
                        C3            countries not requiring much assistance except for technical advice and international
                                        network coordination

Category	R1	R2	R3
C1	Vietnam	Cambodia Lao PDR Northern Mariana Islands	PNG Mongolia All other PICs + Solomon Islands
C2	China	Malaysia Philippines Macao SAR Republic of Korea Brunei Darussalaam Guam	Fiji New Caledonia
C3	Singapore	Australia Japan New Zealand

This assessment is current as of Revisions may be necessary as the SARS epidemic evolves, and will be included as necessary in subsequent updates.

Solomon Islands is rated as Risk level 3, and is relatively limited risk as compared to China and other countries. However, active surveillance and management of a suspected case will taken seriously.

3. MOH TASK FORCE: Strategies and prevention activities:

3.1. Public Health Prevention Measures:

3.1.1. Existing:

Screening of incoming passengers continued using the Advisory Flyer as the instrument.

Data from flyer analyzed for passengers coming in affected areas.

Appropriate advice to passengers coming from affected areas but not sick with the confirmed symptoms and signs given on arrival.

Advisory flyer also sent to health agents (health inspectors in Gizo and Munda) for health quarantine in those respective areas.

Personnel prevention measures continued. All airport staff at the airport (including the health quarantine staff, customs, immigration and quarantine) are putting on masks during all arrival of the international flights.

3.1.2. Newly introduced:

Advisory Flyer was revised to include additional information of the incoming passenger. Revised flyer being implemented.

Immigration health status questionnaire completed for the Director of Immigration. All intended travelers (important and essential) from affected areas especially Hong Kong) MUST COMPLETE the questionnaire before they could be allowed to come in the country (see attached for a sample).

A Protocol for managing incoming passengers from affected countries but are/ is not sick has been completed.

Ministry of Health Guidelines
For The Preparedness, Surveillance And
Response To Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS) in Solomon Islands

April 15th 2003

This is guideline emerged from key references such as the PPHSN and WHO WPRO tailored towards the local situation in Solomon Islands. SARS is a new disease syndrome. Our knowledge about the best way to prevent and treat it is constantly evolving. These guidelines will be continuously updated.

This document is prepared especially for Environment Health Workers and Quarantine Workers and Provincial Nursing staff to manage in coming travelers/crews/passengers-contacts of suspected cases and probable cases and cases from affected areas.

4. A draft legal instrument to enforce the environment health act is being completed with the legal support from the Attorney General’s Chamber.

The legal instrument entrust:

powers to immigration officer(s) to refuse entry to any suspected cases

cause suspected person for a thorough medical examination

powers to force the diagnosed case to be removed for strict isolation

any travelers with SARS or showed signs will be disembarked at any port of entry in Solomon Islands.

any traveler within 10 days must seek medical attention at the nearest hospital.

However review is underway to further develop the legal instrument.

5. Advisory Flyer revised for the second time to incorporate the following message

Please contact the SARS dedicated help-line 28300

1. If you come from an affected area listed in the flyer but suffered no symptoms on arrival but later as in (2).
2. If you developed high fever (>30 deg C) and respiratory symptoms at home, hotel, motel or in the Province, within 10 days after
    your arrival.
3. If you notice someone accompanying you in the same flight or family member or colleague developing respiratory symptoms.
4. If you develop the respiratory symptoms as above, please call the dedicated SARS dedicated line 28300 for advice. Do not
    come to the hospital yourself before you're advised to do so.
5. If you do not have a phone please kindly ask someone to relate or call the dedicated SARS line or reach the nearest clinic or
    Accident & Emergency Department NRH for help.
6. If the symptoms are confirmed to be a probable case, a specialized ambulatory pick-up arrangement will be done for you, and
    you will be met at the National Referral Hospital by a special medical team.
7. If you are arriving from an affected area(s) within 10 days, and planning to travel to the province(s), you are advised to remain in
    Honiara for 10 days, and stay at home, motel, hotel and avoid public gatherings and seek medical clearance, before you travel
    to the province(s).

    3.1.3. Rumor Audit:

              ALL RUMOURS WILL BE INVESTIGATED

              1. Rumor 1 (dated 28/04/03:

              A local person (SI) returned from Hong Kong n the past 2 weeks and contracted the disease. Investigation carried
              out. Advisory flyer data recorded no person (neither a local nor a foreigner) arriving directly from Hong Kong in the past
              three weeks.

3.2.Hospital Activities:

    3.2.1. Existing:

            1. Medical Mobile Phone as the interim SARS line now changed to the dedicated line.
            2. Private ward identified as the SARS Isolation Ward.
            3. Isolation kits received and available from WHO.
            4. Pharmacy division mobilizing the required isolation supplies.
            5. Private ward renovation to meet the WHO standards for SARS isolation in progress.
            6. Specialized medical team to deal with SARS patients identified.

    3.2.2. Newly Introduced:

            1. SARS dedicated line 28300 installed on 30th April 03. Line to be confined only to case reporting to start with.
            2. Hospital SARS Response Plan completed.

COUNTRY	CUMULATIVE NO.CASES	NO. NEW CASES SINCE LAST UPDATE	NO. DEATHS	NO. RECOVERED	LOCAL CHAINS OF TRANSMISSIONS(2)	DATE OF LAST REPORT
Australia	4	0	0	3	None	28th April 2003
Brazil	2	0	0	2	None	24th April 2003
Bulgaria	1	1	0	0	None	24th April 2003
Canada	146	4	20	86	Yes	29h April 2003
China	3303	405	148	1322	Yes	29th April 2003
Hong Kong SAR	1572	15	150	759	Yes	29th April 2003
Taiwan (ROC)	66	0	0	25	Yes	29th April 2003
France	5	0	0	1	None	21st April 2003
Germany	7	0	0	6	None	29th April 2003
India	1	0	0	1	None	21st April 2003
Indonesia	1	0	0	1	None	23rd April 2003
Italy	9	1	0	4	None	29th April 2003
Japan	2	0	0	0	None	28th April 2003
Kuwait	1	0	0	1	None	20th April 2003
Malaysia	6	0	2	3	None	29th April 2003
Mongolia	5	0	0	3	None	26th April 2003
Philippines	4	0	2	1	None	28th April 2003
Rep. Ireland	1	0	0	1	None	24th April 2003
Rep Korea	1	1	0	0	None	29th April 2003
Romania	1	0	0	1	None	22nd April 2003
Singapore	201	2	24	139	Yes	29th April 2003
South Africa	1	0	0	0	None	9th April 2003
Spain	1	0	0	1	None	24th April 2003
Sweden	3	0	0	2	None	23rd April 2003
Switzerland	1	0	0	1	None	21st April 2003
Thailand	7	0	2	5	None	29th April 2003
United Kingdom	6	1	0	6	Yes	29th April 2003
United States	41	0	0	Na	Yes	25th April 2003
Viet Nam	63	0	5	53	None	28th April 2003
Total	5462	429	353	2427

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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