SOLOMON ISLANDS: Rotavirus
In the past week, another 212 cases of diarrhea were reported from the 9 sentinel sites across the Solomon Islands as a rotavirus outbreak continues. 25 people are now thought to have died from diarrhea-related illness since the outbreak began. 16 of these fatalities were children under the age of 5.
ZIKA VIRUS
After an outbreak of Zika Virus was declared in Tonga earlier this month, American Samoa confirmed its first cases of the mosquito-borne illness. Four samples from American Samoa have tested positive. The US Centre for Disease Control is cooperating with local health authorities to manage the outbreak including providing extra staff and equipment. Zika has been seen in various parts of the Pacfic since 2007.
El NIÑO
Below normal rainfall predictions continue for countries across much of the Pacic. NIWA reports that impacts from the currently strong El Niño event are expected to be felt across the region through until at least April. The cyclone risk is also elevated with TC Winston tracking towards Fiji and Tonga.
NORTH PACIFIC
The El Niño drought situation is worsening in Micronesia as the region enters its driest time of the year. Humanitarian partners are closely monitoring conditions in the Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia with predictions the region is unlikely to receive signicant rain during the rst and possibly second quarter of 2016.
MARSHALL ISLANDS
A drought response is underway in the Marshall Islands after the declaration of a State of Emergency earlier this month.The Government has developed a $8.25 million Drought Response Plan aimed at mitigating the impacts of extremely low rainfall forecast through until July 2016. The priority response focused on ensuring consistent supply of safe drinking water.