Measles affected Tonga in OFC Futsal Nations Cup

Tonga National Futsal Team lost two matches by Walk Over in 2019 OFC Futsal Nations Cup in the 5-8th place play-off matches against Vanuatu and American Samoa. It was originally reported that Tonga had many players injured so they could not play. But the truth behind Tonga’s walkover defeats in OFC Futsal Nations Cup is that many players were diagnosed with measles.

Oceania is facing a measles epidemic that was also the reson of OFC U16 Women’s Championship postponement. Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the measles virus. Symptoms usually develop 10–12 days after exposure to an infected person and it may last 7–10 days. Initial symptoms typically include fever, often greater than 40°C (10 °F), cough, runny nose, and inflamed eyes.

According to sources, measles occurred in a touring Tongan Futsal team which travelled to New Zealand on 14th October. One member of Tongan delegation got sick on 19th October and was subsequently diagnosed with the disease. The squad went to New Caledonia prior to their infectious period. Public health in New Caledonia administered post exposure vaccination to four members of the squad who did not report a history of two doses of MCV (Meningococcal Vaccine).

On 1st November, six people from Tongan delegation became unwell with measles – that’s why they did not play against Vanuatu on 1st November neither against American Samoa on 2nd November – “The doctor said we were not going to finish the tournament” said Tongan player Timote Fakasiieiki. They have remained in New Caledonia until the infectious period has passed while the remainder of the squad returned on 4th and 5th November.

It also affected other Futsal National Teams like Fiji’s. They arrived home today – 15 days after the end of the tournament – because they were stopped by Ministry of Health from coming back home because they were exposed to measles virus after playing against Tonga. Despite the exposure, no one from Fiji Futsal delegation got sick. “We were quarantined in the hotel and our movements were restricted for a week while at the same time we were vaccinated” said Fiji National Futsal Team head coach Mira Sahib.

The measles outbreak is a big problem currently in Oceania. They started in New Zealand earlier this year and spreaded for whole Oceania. Samoa already declared state of emergency and closed all schools because of deaths caused by the virus. Tonga started to be affected by the disease after rugby players come back sick to Tonga after staying in New Zealand for a while.