title: Vector-control response in a post-flood disaster setting, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 2014.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The close quartering and exposed living conditions in evacuation centres and the potential increase in vector density after flooding in Solomon Islands resulted in an increased risk of exposure for the occupants to vectorborne diseases.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In April 2014, Solomon Islands experienced a flash flooding event that affected many areas and displaced a large number of people. In the capital, Honiara, nearly 10 000 people were housed in emergency evacuation centres at the peak of the post-flood emergency. At the time of the floods, the number of dengue cases was increasing, following a record outbreak in 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme with the assistance of the World Health Organization implemented an emergency vector-control response plan to provide protection to the at-risk populations in the evacuation centres. The National Surveillance Unit also activated an early warning disease surveillance system to monitor communicable diseases, including dengue and malaria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Timely and strategic application of the emergency interventions probably prevented an increase in dengue and malaria cases in the affected areas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rapid and appropriate precautionary vector-control measures applied in a post-natural disaster setting can prevent and mitigate vectorborne disease incidences. Collecting vector surveillance data allows better analysis of vector-control operations' effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: WHO Office of the Representative in Solomon Islands, Honiara, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shortus
authors.affiliation: WHO Office of the Representative in Solomon Islands, Honiara, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Jennie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Musto
authors.affiliation: National Vector Borne Disease Control Program, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Point Cruz, Honiara, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bugoro
authors.affiliation: National Vector Borne Disease Control Program, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Point Cruz, Honiara, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Butafa
authors.affiliation: National Surveillance Unit, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Chinatown, Honiara, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sio
authors.affiliation: National Surveillance Unit, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Chinatown, Honiara, Solomon Islands .
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Joshua
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004190:Disasters; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055868:Floods; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000254:growth & development; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008542:Melanesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D014944:World Health Organization / Q000458:organization & administration