All government primary schools, including kindergartens, in Tonga will be closed temporarily from 14 to 25 November as a precaution to try and minimize the outbreak of measles, the Ministry of Education and Training announced today.

Measles is very contagious and can spread easily at schools where children are gathered in large numbers. The virus spreads through the air via breathing, coughing, and sneezing.

The new Minister Hon Siaosi Sovaleni, with his CEO Dr Tangikina Moimoi Steen and the Ministry of Health Acting CEO Dr Reynold Ofanoa, made the announcement at a press conference.

Hon. Sovaleni said measles had not affected many primary school children, and the decision to close the schools was to isolate them from high school students who had been the most affected.

“Children who happen to have measles during the closure will be able to be treated and stay isolated from others.”

Non-government schools were also consulted and informed of the closure. They were supportive of the preventative measures and would issue their own communication for their schools.

Vaccination Program

High schools will continue to operate and the Ministry of Health will start a vaccination program for students in forms 1 to 4 immediately. Students in forms 5 to 7 will be vaccinated when their exams are completed by 18 November.

Hon Sovaleni said during the school closure, parents are urged to keep their children at home and limit their contact with other children who may be infected, and students should not travel to the outer islands yet as they may spread the disease.

“Whilst the parents, teachers and the public should not be unduly alarmed, we urge you all to treat these measures with a degree of seriousness.”

“We ask you to support us in our efforts to contain this measles outbreak, given that there have been fatal incidences in our neighbouring countries.”

Dr Ofanoa said to date, there were 177 cases with 3 cases in hospital but they were not in a critical state. No deaths had occurred and no cases had appeared in the outer islands of ‘Eua, Ha’apai and the Niuas.

Primary schools will resume from 25 November for the distribution of academic reports and to hold prize giving ceremonies, however the closure of schools can be extended pending advice from the Ministry of Health.

Public Holiday risk

The public holiday planned for Friday, 15 November, to celebrate Tonga’s rugby league players success over Australia and Great Britain also poses a threat to the spread of measles.

Hon. Sovaleni said they had planned for an event for the players to meet with some primary school students but cancelled it because of the measles outbreak.

Although the parade will go ahead, Dr Ofanoa stressed it was important for those who have measles to stay at home and rest.

“If they attend the float parade, the virus will spread.”

He added that people could also wear masks to protect themselves and to also stop the virus spreading.

Hon. Sovaleni said parents should do what was right for their children.

For enquiries on school management contact the Ministry of Education and Training on phone 23511.

For enquiries on measles vaccination contact:

Ministry of Health Contacts, Communicable Disease Unit

• Dr Joseph Takai, Phone: 8880495 or 7709537 
• Dr Louise Fonua, Phone: 7779822 

Related articles: 177 measles cases as outbreak spreads [2], 107 measles cases in Tonga [3], Measles alert for Tonga [4]