Eleven cases of typhoid confirmed in Tonga

Eleven people in Tonga have been hospitalised with typhoid in an outbreak which began since January.

Radio New Zealand said Tonga have temporarily banned kava drinking in public halls to control an outbreak of typhoid.

The Ministry of Health has also imposed a month long ban on making food for public gatherings such as funerals, the radio said.

The Chief Health Inspector, Sela Fa’u, told Tonga Broadcasting five of those with typhoid were from one village, Veitongo.

Sela Fa’u said several factors had constrained the ministry in controlling the spread of the disease including people providing inaccurate information for lab tests.

Typhoid

Typhoid is an illness caused by infection with a specific bacteria called Salmonella typhi.

It is found in the faeces of infected persons and spreads to others through faecal contamination of food and water.

This occurs in situations where there is poor hygiene related to food preparation, where there is poor sanitation with inadequate ablution facilities and where drinking water is drawn from sources like wells and streams.

The symptoms mimic those of other infectious diseases. Symptoms include fever, headache, abdominal pain, cold shivers, hot sweats and loss of appetite.

About The Author

Sometimes when a business is growing, it needs a little help.

Right now Kaniva News provides a free, politically independent, bilingual news service for readers around the world that is absolutely unique. We are the largest New Zealand-based Tongan news service, and our stories reach Tongans  wherever they are round the world. But as we grow, there are increased demands on Kaniva News for translation into Tongan on our social media accounts and for the costs associated with expansion. We believe it is important for Tongans to have their own voice and for Tongans to preserve their language, customs and heritage. That is something to which we are strongly committed. That’s why we are asking you to consider sponsoring our work and helping to preserve a uniquely Tongan point of view for our readers and listeners.

spot_imgspot_imgspot_imgspot_img

Latest news

Related news