Filariasis has long been noted to be prevalent in Tonga. Reports dating back to 1965 mention the common occurrence of enormous swellings of the leg, arm and scrotum among the local population.
A MDA campaign using DEC was carried out in this country from 1975 to 1976. This reduced mf prevalence from 17% to 1%.
JICA (DEC and ICT), GSK (Albendazole), JOCV (Volunteer)
Results of blood surveys carried out under PacELF Programme
Date
Test
Method
Target
Sampling Method
No. of examined
No. of Positives
Positive rate(%)
1999-2000
ICT
Whole area
Convenience
4002
108
2.70
2003-2004
ICT
Whole area
Random
3955
96
2.48
2006
ICT
Whole area
Stratified cluster sampling
2927
11
0.38
2006
MF
Whole area
Stratified cluster sampling
2927
2
0.07
Results of MDAs carried out under PacELF Programme
Yearw
MDA
Reported Population
Registered Population
% Registered
Treated population
%Treated/
Reported
%Treated/
Registered
2001
1st
97784
83310
85.2
77595
79.35
93.14
2002
2nd
97784
90720
92.78
82023
83.88
90.41
2003
3rd
97784
93660
95.78
88752
90.76
94.76
2004
4th
97784
83719
85.62
2005
5th
97784
83218
85.10
Contact:
Dr Malakai Ake
Chief Medical Officer
Ministry of Health
P.O.Box 59, Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
Tel/(676) 23200 Fax/ (676) 24291
E-mail: drmalakaiake@health.gov.to
