Typhoid

The Ministry of Health confirmed that the cases were detected at Natua village in Cakaudrove on the second largest island of Vanua Levu.

The MOH said this morning that the early identification and referral of typhoid cases at Waivunia Village ensured the containment of typhoid cases.

Earlier this month, an outbreak of typhoid forced the ministry to impose movement restrictions at Waivunia Village in Nasavusavu and Natua Village.

Villagers of Waivunia have completed their 14-day isolation period and they have also been allowed to attend church meetings.

Minister for Health, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said there were 1,747 dengue fever cases with five deaths.

He said there had also been 99 cases of typhoid with one death.

The minister said his ministry was positioning itself to combat the spread of such disease.

Waqainabete said natural disasters increased the intensity of the diseases and also highlighted that there were 3,019 cases of diarrhoeal disease.

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Radio Tonga says reports from Nakolo say the patient has been treated and locals are currently focusing on hygiene standards in the village.

Nakolo village is located 15km south of Nuku’alofa and is a known hotspot for past outbreaks in typhoid  

The one month ban will end later this month.

Meanwhile another villager from Fanga has been diagnosed with typhoid.

Tonga's Information from the Ministry of Health says its continuing to screen the case before any ban is imposed in that village.

Radio Tonga says reports from Nakolo say the patient has been treated and locals are currently focusing on hygiene standards in the village.

The one month curfew will end later this month.

Meanwhile another villager from Fanga has been diagnosed with typhoid.

Tonga's Information from the Ministry of Health says its continuing to screen the case before any curfew is imposed in the village.

It says currently the focus should be on prevention including prioritising hygiene, cleaner environment for food preparation - and washing of hands at all times.

Principal Mele Vaihola said today he boarding house had remained closed since late last month to prevent the risk of typhoid being contracted by any of its students.

She said school continued as usual for their 357 students but the 70 percent who boarded had been let off due to the typhoid case.

“We decided it's best to take this precautionary measure to be on the safe side because we have so many students boarding and food is always being brought from outside by their families to eat,” she said.

The case is in the village of Vaini from where several people were hospitalised with typhoid a year ago.

Radio Tonga reports the town officer saying the villagers have been told that public gatherings or feasts in the village have been prohibited for a month.

Meantime the boarding school located in Vaini - Beulah College - has sent its students home until the prohibition is lifted.