Tonga moves to avoid another Typhoid outbreak

Transcript

The Director of Health in Tonga says many residents need to improve their sanitation practices and facilities if the kingdom is to avoid another typhoid outbreak.

Last year there were 8 confirmed cases of typhoid and Dr Siale 'Akau'ola told Koro Vaka'uta locals should work on getting rid of the causes of typhoid fever.

Dr 'Akau'ola says the latest case was reported in the village of Veitongo which is banned from preparing any feasts or food for any occasion until the end of the month.

DR SIALE 'AKAU'OLA:  Typhoid is caused by a germ that is transmitted through inappropriate handling of food, unhygienic washing of hands when using the bathroom or the toilet and of course the presence of unhygienic methods of preparation of food.  It's okay when economically families are able to provide those necessary facilities to protect them and their families but of course there are vulnerable people here in Tonga who cannot afford to provide such basic requirements for their families and therefore it's people at the end of the economic strata that are more vulnerable.  One of the issues and factors about Typhoid transmission is that Typhoid is usually transmitted through people who carry it without having any symptoms or the so-called healthy Typhoid carriers.  These people they continue to pass Typhoid bugs out of their system, of course through their faeces.  If they're not disposed of within the right way they can spread through flies and of course improper sanitation.  That's the main reason these people continue to spread the Typhoid in Tonga is because they live in places that do not have the proper facilities.  Whereas if they lived in a western country for instance, you hardly hear of Typhoid.

KORO VAKA'UTA:  There were eight cases last year is that pretty comparable to previous years?

SA:  That was an outbreak.  That was higher than the usual numbers.  Obviously some years we usually have none and then we have one or two.  About three would be an outbreak.

KV:  So you are just looking to educate people to avoid a similar outbreak in 2015?

SA:  And of course to try to get initiatives to improve the sanitation environment, the environment where they're living and think of it as a priority for their family and their loved ones to make sure they live in a safe environment.

KV:  Is there anything the government can do or is doing in regards to sanitation?

SA:  Legally if you have a family you are obliged to have clean sanitation but of course there are some homes do not afford these kind of amenities so government had a project late last year where some of the homes had new toilets installed.  There is a review of that project to see if it is effective.  There are other non-government organisations who are supporting the public to improve sanitation and a couple of years back the government was strong in building flush toilets throughout the kingdom to replace the pit latrines and that project had closed down but I think we are looking again to see the capacity of the public to see if they can build their own or maybe some other initiatives need to be further implemented.