The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of rubella with several cases around Honiara affecting children aged between 6 to 15.
Rubella is contagious and while generally not serious, is of particular concern to pregnant women.
The symptoms of rubella include fever, sore throat, painful joints, running noses and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body.
The Ministry advises that children infected with rubella should get lots of bed rest and be given lots of fluids.
A free rubella and measles vaccination campaign, in which the Ministry will be assisted by the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children's Fund, is due to get underway across the country next month.
