Mumps

Brilliant winger Ioane was in isolation for periods in London last week after medical staff identified he had contracted the infectious viral disease.

The same problem previously struck uncapped Crusaders centre Jack Goodhue, who stayed home through most of the first week of the tour. He missed what would have been an international debut against the Barbarians.

Goodhue has improved but Ioane is being carefully monitored and is an uncertain starter for the French clash in Paris on Saturday, the opening Test of the tour.

Since March, over 1600 cases were recorded, reaching a peak in June.

RNZI reports the chief medical officer for the Ministry of Health's Public Health Division Reynold Ofanoa said most of the people affected were between the ages of five and fourteen-years-old.

Dr Ofanoa said the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox was not included in Tonga's vaccination programme.

"But when this occurred I think it was raised during the discussion the opportunity of introducing the mumps vaccine," said Reynold Ofanoa.

From March to this month, over 1600 cases were recorded across the Kingdom, the peak being in June when over 200 people were infected.

The chief medical officer for the Ministry of Health's Public Health Division, Reynold Ofanoa, said most of the cases were children between five and 14-years-old.

Dr Ofanoa said it was good to see the number of cases falling.

"From June until now, week by week we have seen a decrease in the number of cases in comparison to the previous weeks," he said.

"We are hoping soon we will be able to declare that the outbreak is over."

The Sister In-charge of the Emergency Division – Sr. Lolita Kupu says Vaiola hospital has recorded more than 8000 patients in June with 80% cases being affected with mumps and flu. 

Radio Tonga reports Health official, Dr. Viliami Vao is urging the public to be more cautious as elderlies and young children are the most vulnerable section of the population at this stage. 

The cause of flu is mainly from the negative impacts of the weather changes which causes- headaches, cold and aching with high fever.