Tests are being done in Noumea, New Caledonia to determine whether the Fiji FUTSAL team contracted measles before they’re allowed to fly back to Fiji.

Health Minister, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says they’re working with officials in Noumea.

“It wasn’t realized up until recently that they were in contact with a particular team that had measles, again confirmatory tests are being done at the moment and there are certain guidelines to be followed to ensure that we don’t have an outbreak here also locally.”

Speaking to FBC News, Fiji Football Association Competitions Manager Amitesh Pal says the team were advised by the Fiji FA doctor that they can travel to Noumea without vaccination.

“We have consulted our doctor, the Fiji FA doctor and we were advised that not to vaccinate or so and apart from that, it was New Caledonia so the travel advisory says New Caledonia was not that strict.”

Fiji Medical Association president Dr. Basharat Munshi confirms that Fiji hasn’t had a major measles outbreak in two decades, but there have been sporadic cases recorded.

“Our last outbreak of measles was in 2006 and since then to date there have been only 35 reported cases of measles in Fiji. Twenty-seven of those are just clinical so based on signs and symptoms and the rest eight are laboratory confirmed.”

The Fiji FA is confident the FUTSAL will get the all clear soon.