Tuberculosis in Solomon Islands: why declining case notifications may not reflect true incidence

Authors

  • Dylan M Bush Division of Biology and Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
  • Alice Siuna Waneoroa National Referral Hospital, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands
  • Emire Meone Maefiti National Referral Hospital, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands
  • Thomas H Fitzpatrick World Health Organization Representative Office for the Solomon Islands, Honiara, Solomon Islands
  • Elizabeth Wore National Referral Hospital, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands
  • Silvia S Chiang Department of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America; Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2024.15.3.1174

Keywords:

tuberculosis, Melanesia, contact tracing, communicable disease

Abstract

Interpretation of tuberculosis (TB) surveillance data in Solomon Islands between 2016 and 2022 should be informed by local conditions, including pandemic disruptions in contact tracing. The TB surveillance data recently reported by Yanagawa et al. has features indicative of underdiagnosis. We thus advise caution in the interpretation of this data.

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Published

17-09-2024

How to Cite

1.
Bush DM, Siuna Waneoroa A, Meone Maefiti E, Fitzpatrick TH, Wore E, Chiang SS. Tuberculosis in Solomon Islands: why declining case notifications may not reflect true incidence. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2024 Sep. 17 [cited 2024 Oct. 16];15(3):2. Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/1174

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 3 (2024): July ‒ September

Section

Letter to the Editor