The Tongan Ministry of Health has declared a dengue fever outbreak, with 33 confirmed cases across Tonga.
The Asian tiger mosquito is one of the vectors responsible for transmitting dengue fever. Photo: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Matangi Tonga reports The Head of the NCD/Health Promotion Unit at the Ministry of Health, Dr 'Ofa Tukia, has called on Tongans to be vigilant, as the viral disease is spread by mosquitoes.
She says of the 33 confirmed cases, 17 are in Tongatapu, 12 in Vava'u and four in Ha'apai.
Dr Tukia says the Ministry expects the number of cases to rise.
She says prevention is better than the cure and urged people to control mosquito breeding places.
Symptoms of dengue include a high fever is above 38 degrees Celsius, severe headache, muscle and joint pains, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or bleeding from any part of the body.
