Notifiable diseases are infectious diseases that the Ministry of Health needs to know about because of their contagiousness, severity, or frequency.

After a case is notified, the Ministry of Health can take steps to try to prevent further cases of the disease and to protect the community.

Disease notification is a legal requirement in Vanuatu. Under the Public Health Act, health care workers must inform the Ministry of Health of new cases of notifiable diseases. Health care workers include medical officers, nurses and laboratory officers.

Notifiable diseases can be identified in a health clinic, dispensary or a hospital. It also includes private clinics or health services.

Notifiable diseases can include confirmed cases or suspected cases. Confirmed cases can include detection through laboratory tests and point-of-care or rapid tests.

There are three ways you can make a disease notification:

1. Complete a paper notification form and send it to your provincial surveillance office
2. Telephone your provincial surveillance officer
3. Electronic notification

In 2024, the Ministry of Health is trailing a new initiative, and you can now also make an electronic notification using your computer or your mobile device.

Notifications made from your mobile phone are made via a Digicel data free page. You do not need data or Wi-Fi to make a notification if you use the data free page.

Electronic notifications are received immediately by surveillance teams. This means that surveillance and clinical teams can respond quickly.

Currently being developed - stay tuned.

If you have any questions, please contact the National Surveillance and Emergency Response Unit.