Diarrhoeal disease surveillance in Papua New Guinea: findings and challenges

Abstract@#Diarrhoeal diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Western Pacific Region. However, data on the major causes of infectious diarrhoea are limited in many countries within the Region, including Papua New Guinea. In 2013–2014, we conducted surveillance for acute diarrhoeal illness in four provinces in Papua New Guinea. One rural health clinic from each province participated in the surveillance activity. Samples were sent to central laboratories and batch analysed for bacterial and viral gastrointestinal pathogens that are commonly associated with diarrhoea. Across the four sites, the most commonly detected pathogens were Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp. and rotavirus. In this paper, we report the results of the surveillance activity and the challenges that we faced. The lessons learnt may be applicable to other parts of the Region with a similar socioeconomic status.

The threat of chikungunya in Oceania

The Oceania region, which includes Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean, has historically been free from chikungunya. However, the 2011 outbreak in New Caledonia and the ongoing outbreak in Papua New Guinea have highlighted the risk to other communities in Oceania where there are competent mosquito vectors and permissive social factors and environmental conditions. In this article we discuss the threat to this region that is posed by the recent evolution of the E1:A226V mutant strains of chikungunya virus (CHIKV).