Tonga confirms dengue outbreak, children most affected

Tonga’s Health Minister, Dr 'Ana Akauola, has confirmed a dengue outbreak in the Kingdom. The youngest victim is 10 years old.

Speaking to John Pulu on PMN Tonga, Akauola has pleaded with families in Tonga to help reduce the spread of the disease.

“This dengue fever outbreak, we have been expecting for patients to have the disease two weeks ago but we didn’t get confirmation until last week Thursday through PCR,” Akauola says.

“This week, to date, we’ve had 10 cases of dengue fever confirmed via blood test, most of them in Tongatapu from the Eastern side, but also Vava’u and ‘Eua.

“The Ministry of Health is advising people to ensure the environment is clean and take away any rubbish that will collect standing water to reduce breeding areas for mosquitoes during this wet season.

“We need every hand on deck to combat this disease soon as our children are the most affected with the age of current cases at 12 to 17 years old.”

Akauola says they are waiting for test results to confirm the subtype of dengue fever in the Kingdom.

Outer islands such as Ha’apai, Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou have not been affected.

She says visitors from overseas who recently spent time in Tonga and have returned home have also reported contracting dengue fever.

Watch Dr 'Ana Akauola's interview on PMN Tonga below.

The number of cases is expected to increase, but Akauola reassures Tongan residents that the public health team has visited the villages and people affected.

Tonga’s last dengue outbreak was in 2019.

Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

Although many infections are asymptomatic or produce only mild illness, the virus can occasionally cause more severe cases and even death.

Despite the lack of a specific treatment for the infection, early detection and access to proper medical care greatly lower the fatality rates of severe dengue.

Appointed as Health Minister last month, Dr 'Ana 'Akauola is the Medical Superintendent at the Vaiola Hospital. Photo/Australia in Tonga Facebook