The Ministry of Health said 440 people had been confirmed or suspected to have contracted measles in the current outbreak, from October 1 to December 2 in Tonga.
However, given that the duration of illness is typically less than two-weeks, it is estimated that at least 70% of the 440 reported measles cases have already recovered from their illnesses
A situation report issued on December 4 stated all 46 of the new cases from the past week were on the main island of Tongatapu.
This meant 390 (89%) cases in total have occurred on Tongatapu, where the outbreak began. No further cases had been reported from any other island since the last situation report in November.
No deaths
"Ten admissions to hospital have occurred among measles cases in this outbreak, with no deaths. The significant majority of cases have been managed in home isolation," the Ministry reported.
Consistent with early transmission through boys boarding schools, most cases have been among males, with the proportion of cases among females increasing as the outbreak has progressed.
A total of 64 cases have occurred in children aged less than five-years, with 15 of these cases occurring in the past week.
Cases among adolescents and young people continue to form the majority of cases in this outbreak, with 351 (80%) cases occurring in people aged 10 to 24 years.
The total number of vaccinations administered, as of December 3 is 15,124.
In the meantime, school-based vaccination programs have been completed on all islands, except Niuafo’ou as there had not been a boat to Niuafo’ou until this week (and importantly, no cases on Niuafo’ou).
Vaccination of infants aged 6 to 11 months were completed on Tongatapu on November 29. While, 6,000 additional doses of MR vaccine, together with vitamin A were received from UNICEF on December 3.
There have also been 60 vials of 2 mL and 5 mL normal human immunoglobulin (NHIG) from WHO.
Approximately 1,000 seasonal workers will be leaving Tonga to work in agricultural roles in Australia and New Zealand in coming months. Additional stocks of N95 masks and hand gel are expected to arrive from WHO in the coming week.
Actions
Intensive follow up of cases of all ages and their contacts had resumed, following completion of the school based vaccination program.
The interdisciplinary Epidemic Task Force (ETF) continued to meet weekly to discuss the measles outbreak response
Meanwhile, results are awaited for 19 respiratory swabs and 12 serum samples taken from suspected cases who meet the criteria for diagnostic testing, including those with serious illness and suspected new lines of transmission.
These specimens have been sent to the Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) for analysis and results are expected this week.
Actions to be completed includes continuing vaccination efforts targeting priority groups, ongoing work with WHO and other partners to replenish PPE supplies, among others.
