3 Feb 2015

In Tonga, hundreds feared infected with dengue

2:29 pm on 3 February 2015

Authorities in Tonga are dealing with a dengue fever outbreak that could have infected hundreds in the kingdom.

The head of the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit Dr 'Ofa Tukia says the Ministries of Health, Internal Affairs and Works are combining in their efforts to rid villages of potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes which carry the disease.

Dr Tukia says 46 cases were reported in 2014 and an outbreak was declared when 33 cases were discovered in the first month of this year.

"17 on the main island of Tongatapu and 12 from Vava'u and four from Ha'apai in the outer islands, but they are the confirmed cases only. We have also suspects and these suspects there are more than hundreds of that now."

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