OUTBREAK of diseases in Solomon Islands is due to our unhygienic lifestyle and filthy surroundings, according to a local lawyer.

Mr George Gray, who is completing a Masters of Law in Criminal Justice and Human Rights at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, said it was no surprise to see outbreak of diseases in Honiara in recent weeks.

He was referring to mysterious deaths at the National Referral Hospital which doctors suspected is meningococcal septicaemia pending results of samples sent overseas to determine the disease.

However George maintained that such deaths could be prevented if we live a healthy lifestyle.

“It is sad and unfortunate to lose lives unnecessary but I believe the outbreak of diseases in Honiara or in parts of our country is due to our own unhygienic lifestyle,” he told Island Sun.

“Betel-nuts stalls and BBQ on road sides should stop now. The drains should be cleaned up and the grasses should be cut.

“We do not need a medical scientist to tell us about the causes of these diseases. All we have to do is to check our backyards and the way we live our lives.

“Honiara’s lifestyle is so unhygienic. We feed our people with unclean food and allow them to live and eat from dirt.

These things are happening right in front of the eyes of the authorities. Something needs to be done about this.”

George added there are health regulations and bye-laws on selling of food on streets but have either been totally unenforced or forgotten at all.

Meanwhile he sends his condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones to the mysterious disease in recent days.