Challenges to implementation and strengthening of initial COVID-19 surveillance in Vanuatu: January-April 2020.

The Pacific island nation of Vanuatu is vulnerable to emerging infectious diseases, including epidemics and pandemics; chronic food and water insecurity; and natural hazards, including cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides and flooding. In March 2020, the World Health Organization characterized the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a global pandemic. By the end of April 2020, Vanuatu had reported no confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Lessons from COVID-19-free Vanuatu: intensive health operations for Phase 1 of repatriation and quarantine, May-July 2020.

International borders to Vanuatu closed on 23 March 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. In May-July 2020, the Government of Vanuatu focused on the safe and timely return of citizens and residents while ensuring Vanuatu remained COVID-19 free. Under Phase 1 of repatriation, between 27 May and 23 June 2020, 1522 people arrived in the capital, Port Vila, and were placed in compulsory government-mandated 14-day quarantine in 15 hotels.

Prevalence of scabies in Sanma Province, Vanuatu.

Background: Scabies is a common, under-reported condition in the Pacific with acute and chronic complications. In this study we explored the prevalence of scabies in Sanma Province, Vanuatu.

Methods: We randomly selected 30 villages from nine government zones across three islands and examined residents present within these villages for scabies.