The Tongan Ministry of Health says it hopes the severe flu affecting hundreds of people there has reached its peak and will be contained in the next few weeks.
Blood test results were returned from Auckland Hospital on Monday, which showed the rash and fever symptoms affecting the population was a severe flu, and not measles or dengue as suspected.
A medical officer at Vaiola Hospital in Nuku'alofa, Viliami Vao, says it is likely the virus came from Tahiti or the Cook Islands.
Dr Vao says it has only admitted 25 people to hospital because of the seriousness of their cases, and is sending other patients home to get rest.
"We're just hoping this is the peak of this particular outbreak. We are taking in a number we haven't reached before. So maybe after next week or the week after that, the numbers will start going down. We're just trying not to panic, we're just advising people to get rest."
Viliami Vao is calling on the public to be cautious when in crowds to avoid spreading the virus.
