Foodborne and waterborne diseases such as the diarrheal diseases, typhoid fever , and helminthic infections are commonly reported. Biointoxication may occur from raw or cooked fish and shellfish. Hepatitis A occurs in this area. Hepatitis B is endemic. No cases of poliomyelitis have been reported from any of these islands for more than five years.
Trachoma occurs in parts of Melanesia.
Hazards to bathers are coelenterates, poisonous fish, and sea snakes.