Health authorities in the Solomon Islands have identified the cause of a diarrhea outbreak which has so far claimed the lives of six children.

There are 1,700 confirmed cases across six provinces.

The chairperson of the ministry of health’s emergency and operations committee says lab results just back from Australia and Fiji indicate the presence of rotavirus in all patient samples.

Chris Becha says a tailored response strategy is being finalised and will be made public tomorrow.