Samoa’s Ministry of Health has warned of an influenza-like-virus affecting young people that could kill, if not managed properly.
Director General of Health, Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma, issued a notice saying cases of the influenza-like-illness in the hospitals increased since April 5, 2023.
“More than hundreds of cases, especially children, have been presented this week with flu-like symptoms to the hospital; mainly at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Motootua,” the notice warned.
He added that, currently, the Samoa Public Health surveillance is monitoring the current status of this influenza and that of the cases presented to the main hospitals.
The Director General said there is also an ongoing increased circulation of influenza-like-illnesses in some of the Pacific island countries such as Fiji, Tonga, and French Polynesia with influenza B—a type of influenza confirmed in French Polynesia and Fiji.
Symptoms for the influenza are the same as COVID-19, which include fever, headache and also upper respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing and coughing.
The ministry urged the public to take heed of the preventative measures and seek medical attention, as well as to visit their nearest hospital if one has complications or serious symptoms of flu-like-illnesses.
