Residents of Nakolo village have been banned from sharing food and told to wash their hands after a case of typhoid was detected.

The ban has been extended to public gatherings and lasts until the end of March.

It is understood the patient has been treated and that since the diagnosis villagers are concentrating on hygiene standards.

Nakolo has historically been described as a hot spot for typhoid due to the number of outbreaks of the disease that have occurred there in the past.

Radio Tonga reported that a villager from Fanga had also been diagnosed with typhoid.

The Ministry of Health said it would monitor the case before any ban was imposed in that village.

The Ministry said villagers needed to ensure food preparation areas were hygienic and that people washed their hands.

Typhoid

Typhoid is transmitted through contaminated food or water, particularly from human waste. It is especially a problem in villages where people use pit latrines or where septic tanks overflow.

Last year similar restrictions were imposed in Veitongo after a student was diagnosed with typhoid.

In 2015 Kaniva News reported that the village of Vaini faced the same clamp down on activities and students from a boarding school were sent home because of fears for their health.

There were eight cases of typhoid in Tonga in 2014.

The Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta recommends travellers to Tonga are immunised against typhoid, especially if visiting rural areas.

The main points

  • Residents of Nakolo village have been banned from sharing food and told to wash their hands after a case of typhoid was detected.
  • The ban has been extended to public gatherings and lasts until the end of March.
  • Nakola has historically been described as a hot spot for typhoid due to the number of outbreaks of the disease that have occurred there in the past.
  • Last year similar restrictions were imposed in Veitongo after a student was diagnosed with typhoid.

For more information

Food sharing banned in Tongan village following typhoid case

Two diagnosed with typhoid, one from Nakolo and one from Fanga

Typhoid in a Tongan Village

Typhoid alert in Tonga

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