Typhoid can be spread by flies and especially in homes with pit latrines, warns Tonga’s Director of Health, Dr Siale 'Akauola, who believes that Tonga's pit latrines should be eradicated because they are contributing to the health problem.

The Ministry has launched a new hygiene and typhoid education programme following an outbreak of typhoid this year on Tongatapu.

Dr 'Akauola told Matangi Tonga that four cases of typhoid had been confirmed so far on Tongatapu for 2017. While three or more cases of the disease is considered an outbreak, he said there are "higher than normal cases at this time of year, but it isn’t a crisis”.

He said it would not get out of hand as he believed that a large majority of the general population are aware of typhoid and know how to avoid it.

“It is only a small percentage of the population, mainly those from lower socio-economic areas who don’t have proper facilities and who don’t practice good hygiene that suffer.”

Carriers

Typhoid is caused when a carrier or an ill person uses unhygienic methods of handling food or drink beverages and does not wash their hands properly with soap after using the bathroom or toilet.

Typhoid is also spread by flies especially in homes with pit latrines. Dr 'Akauola said that pit latrines contribute to the problem and that they should be eradicated. Unfortunately, there are people who cannot afford the necessary sanitation facilities to protect them and their families.

The Ministry of Health produced a health program that aired last night on Television Tonga and focused on how to avoid catching typhoid. Dr 'Akauola said the program reminded Tongans that typhoid is still around.

One of the key messagesis to always wash hands with soap using running water. Avoid a basin full of water as germs will stay in the basin and remain with the person washing their hands. If running water is not available, get someone to spill a bucket of water or cup or basin of water while washing hands, he advised.

To help curb typhoid outbreak, Dr 'Akauola said health officers were visiting families with typhoid to educate them.

Typhoid carriers

People who are carriers of typhoid are mostly unaware of it, as they don’t suffer any of the symptoms.

“A carrier doesn’t have any symptoms which makes it really hard to detect. We normally test people using their stools three times and sometimes, even after being tested three times, we still don’t detect it,” said Dr 'Akauola.

He added that a carrier doesn’t always infect people in their surrounding depending on hygiene practices and facilities.

A carrier in Tonga has more chances of spreading the disease than a carrier in New Zealand simply because of the difference in facilities and hygiene practices.

“You don’t have to have contact with a carrier to catch typhoid but as long as you practice good hygiene, washing your hands and washing your food, you’ll be fine.” he said.