Solomon Islands is to begin surveillance for measles at ports and airports in the country.
Photo: RNZI
The Ministry of Health announced the measure in a statement citing concerns over the ongoing outbreaks in Australia and New Zealand as well as in Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.
The ministry's permanent secretary, Pauline McNeil, said herd immunity in Solomon Islands was quite high but there was no room for complacency.
"Considering how close these countries are to Solomon Islands, and that the holiday season is approaching, it's increasingly likely that measles will occur here. We want to reassure people that we are preparing for that possibility," Ms McNeil said.
A mass immunisation campaign aiming to reach about 90,000 children was already underway in Solomon Islands.
"Families should get their under-six year olds vaccinated and communities should remain alert for any sign of measles and report any suspected cases, so that health workers can respond quickly to try to manage any outbreak," she said.
The ministry was in the process of vaccinating customs and immigration staff working at ports and airports around the country and training them to recognise and manage measles cases.
Information about measles was also being distributed to travellers.
"We are also asking travellers leaving the Solomon Islands to postpone their journeys if they start to experience any of the symptoms of measles," Ms McNeil said.
During the last measles outbreak in Solomon Islands in 2014, more than 4600 people contracted the disease and nine lives were lost.
