This tropical archipelago of over 900 islands is situated to the east of Papua New Guinea. Australians visit mainly for ecotourism – lagoons , rain forests, mangroves, volcanoes, waterfalls, and for the dive sites, which include World War 2 wrecks and spectacular reefs. Some also travel for humanitarian aid work for the benefit of the countries poor, mostly rural population.
The following information provides some broad and general guidelines about health risks and recommendations for travel to these islands. This should not be taken as a substitute for a personal consultation with one of our travel health doctors, whose advice will be specific for you and your trip and may include other issues not mentioned here.
One of the great pleasures of travel is sampling the local cuisine. However, contaminated food and beverages are a common cause of traveller’s diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal illnesses. Safe eating and drinking practices are essential in minimising your risk of contracting traveller’s diarrhoea.
In Solomon Islands mosquitos transmit a number of diseases. These include dengue and zika virus (which may cause birth defects in pregnant women). These viruses are preventable by taking precautions to avoid daytime biting mosquitos. Malaria is high risk and medication is usually recommended.
Travellers diarrhoea, giardia and dysentery are just some of the illnesses caused by contaminated food and water. Tap water in the Solomon Islands is not safe to drink.
Travellers should be up to date for routine childhood vaccines such as tetanus, measles and hepatitis B. Any of the following vaccines may also be recommended – hepatitis A, typhoid, influenza. Decisions regarding which are most appropriate depend on duration and nature of travel, itinerary, age underlying medical conditions and past vaccination.
Hepatitis A vaccination is usually recommended for travel to Solomon Islands.
Read MoreA food and water borne disease, typhoid vaccination is also often recommended.
Influenza is one of the most common vaccine preventable illnesses in travellers. In tropical climates there is no 'flu season', risk being all year round.
Read MoreIncreasing in incidence in many parts of the world, dengue is a serious mosquito borne disease.
Read MoreThis bloodstream parasite is the main risk from mozzies everywhere. Left untreated, it may cause severe illness or death, particularly in infants, pregnant women, those with underlying medical conditions and those who have never been exposed before, which includes most tourists. Strict avoidance of mosquito bites from dusk till dawn and preventative malaria medication are advised for most travellers. Any high fever after travelling to Solomon Islands requires prompt medical assessment.
Read MoreCoral cuts, box jellyfish, stonefish and sea urchins all pose a risk to swimmers/divers/snorkelers. Seek local advice for prevention and immediate first aid for treatment. Seafood poisoning (ciguatera toxin) can be avoided by not eating large reef fish, such as snapper, groper, and barracuda (even if well cooked). For dive emergencies there is a hyperbaric chamber in Honiara.
Observe strict food and water safety precautions and hand hygiene. Consider taking a water filter if remote and a well stocked self treatment kit with guidelines for treatment of moderate to severe gastrointestinal or respiratory illness.
Read MoreThe Solomon Islands are prone to the full spectrum of natural disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones and volcanic eruptions. Keep a close eye on the news and the Australian government’s Smartraveller website for advice about risk mitigation.
Not just a disease of South America, those travelling to Solomon Islands and many other destinations may be at risk of Zika virus.
Read MoreWe generally think of Malaria and Hepatitis when we travel overseas, however Measles is usually long forgotten in the preparation. In fact there have been a significant amount of cases brought back to Australia by overseas travellers who are generally unaware that they are at risk. This has long known
MPox (formerly Monkey Pox) remains a concern in many parts of the world including Australia. Thankfully the risk to most travellers remains low but this is a dynamic space. Travelers should avoid close contact with persons with symptoms consistent with MPox; observe hand and respiratory hygiene and safer-sex practices; and
As there is no non-essential overseas travel at this time this article will simply remain as an information resource for COVID-19. See our main COVID-19 page for more detailed information. We hope to be able to inform our travelers once again after this crisis passes. The links below remain trustworthy
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