2019 Tonga measles outbreak

Measles timeline exposure to illness

2019 Tonga Measles Outbreak was a significant public health event that affected the Kingdom of Tonga in late 2019. The outbreak was part of a larger global resurgence of measles, a highly contagious viral disease, which saw increased cases in various countries around the world.

Background

Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Also, measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected.

The 2019 Tonga measles outbreak occurred in the context of a global increase in measles cases and followed significant outbreaks in regions including Europe, the United States, and neighboring Pacific Islands such as Samoa and Fiji. The outbreak in Tonga was particularly concerning due to the country's limited healthcare infrastructure to manage a widespread health crisis.

Outbreak

The first cases in Tonga were reported in October 2019, with the outbreak believed to have been imported from New Zealand, which was also experiencing a measles outbreak at the time. The Tongan government, in response to the outbreak, initiated emergency measures, including widespread vaccination campaigns aimed at increasing the immunity of the population.

The outbreak significantly impacted various sectors in Tonga, leading to the temporary closure of schools and the postponement of public events, including sports and cultural festivals. The government also issued travel advisories and implemented quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Response

The response to the measles outbreak in Tonga involved collaboration between the Tongan Ministry of Health, international health organizations, and regional partners. Efforts focused on increasing vaccination coverage, public health education to raise awareness about the disease and its prevention, and the implementation of measures to limit the spread of the virus.

Vaccination campaigns were particularly targeted at children and young adults, the groups most at risk of contracting measles. These campaigns were crucial in controlling the outbreak, as measles can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine, which is often administered in two doses as part of childhood vaccination programs.

Aftermath

The 2019 Tonga measles outbreak highlighted the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to prevent the spread of contagious diseases like measles. It also underscored the challenges that small island nations face in responding to health crises and the importance of international cooperation in supporting these countries during outbreaks.

The outbreak eventually subsided, with the last cases reported in early 2020. The Tongan government and its health partners continued to monitor the situation closely and to promote vaccination to prevent future outbreaks.

See Also

• Measles
• Vaccination
• Public health
• Epidemiology of measles