Health authorities are counting on the community’s cooperation to stamp out mosquitoes that spread dengue, Zika, chikungunya and other diseases that are carried by the flying insects,.
The strain of dengue diagnosed in the latest 13 cases recorded by DOH hasn’t been detected in the territory for about 40 years says Epidemiologist Magele Scott Anesi.
The latest cases are from Afono and Vatia with one case from Nuuuli.
The north shore villages are the first to be targeted in a clean up and a trash collection campaign which also includes schools in the area.
The message from health professionals at a press conference Friday to inform the public about the latest dengue cases, was that families and individuals should take action to protect themselves and their families.
Getting rid of the breeding sites of mosquitoes is a first step.
Aifili John Tufa, also an epidemiologist at DOH, said mosquitoes are resilient and it takes just a small amount of water for mosquitoes to lay thousands of eggs.
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