Solomon Islands feels health impact of quake, tsunami

Australia's aid agency says outbreaks of gastro-intestinal diseases such as diarrhoea are a worry in parts of the Solomon Islands tsunami hit areas in Western and Choiseul provinces.

Stuart Schaefer, the acting head of AusAid in the capital, Honiara, says the lack of fresh water and sanitation is starting to hit parts of the earthquake and tsunami affected regions.

Mr Schaefer says AusAid's health assessment team has finished visiting most of the affected sites and is currently working within the Ministry of Health to finish its report.

"That report will look to prioritise medical responses both in terms of the most immediate responses, the medium term needs in terms of things like medical supplies and personnel, but also make some initial judgments about longer term needs," he said.

Source: ABC News