Re: Tonga scaled up their surveillance
Tonga remains alert for incoming flu carriers
15 May 2009
AN estimated 2,410 international passengers arriving at Tonga's Fua'amotu International Airport have been screened for "Influenza A (H1N1)", and so far none has been suspected of carrying in the disease that has affected people worldwide.
"Influenza A (H1N1)" is the new terminology used by the World Health Organisation since April 30 when they ceased using the term "swine flu".
Tonga's Director of Health Dr Siale 'Akau'ola told Matangi Tonga Online today May 15, that the health desk at the airport had screened 2,410 passengers from April 30 to May 13. They came from 24 international flights consisting of 1,432 males and 978 females. There were also three passengers from New Zealand who were spotted to have flu- like symptoms but tested negative for Influenza A, he said.
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Tonga scaled up their surveillance
Pacific on alert over latest flu scare
Posted at 23:11 on 27 April, 2009 UTC
Countries in the Pacific are on high-alert and monitoring for swine flu.
In New Zealand 10 students have tested positive for what is likely to be the virus after a school trip to Mexico, where swine flu has killed more than 100 people.
The WHO says it?s highly likely swine-flu will spread to some countries in the Pacific.
The Chief Medical Officer for Public Health in Tonga, Dr Malakai Ake, says they have scaled up their surveillance.?We have just activated our own national epidemic task-force that took care of the SARS epidemic, the last SARS epidemic. So we are looking mainly at the scaling up at the national airport and getting information to the public at large.?Tonga?s Chief Medical Officer for Public Health, Dr Malakai Ake.
Fiji is also monitoring travellers at Nadi International Airport.
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