Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula on Tuesday declared a public health emergency exists in the territory due to the increase in dengue fever cases.
The Department of Health has recorded six laboratory-confirmed dengue fever cases—two locally transmitted and four imported from individuals who traveled from Samoa. Three of the confirmed cases are children.
The Governor’s declaration states that it is necessary to deploy all appropriate territorial resources for community engagement, protection, and prevention, with a primary focus on source reduction campaigns and enforcement of the ‘4Ds’: Dress appropriately; use Deet-based insect repellent; drain and dispose of all water accumulating containers; and discuss prevention methods with everyone in your community.
“The identified cases present an imminent threat of a public health emergency, affecting all of the Territory of American Samoa. Because the spread of Dengue Fever is now occurring through local infectio—and the spread of the infection to larger segments of the population would quickly overtax our limited resources available through LBJ Tropical Medical Center and DOH Health Centers—it is wise for all segments of the population, especially government, to take this impending threat seriously at this time,” said the Governor.
Symptoms of dengue fever include joint fever, joint pain, eye pain, rash, muscle pain, and severe headache.
It was explained at a press conference that dengue can sometimes be mistaken for the flu. Medical Director at DOH, Dr. Erica Sipili, explained how to recognize the symptoms of dengue and when to seek medical attention.
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Audio PlayerDr. Sipili advised against taking Motrin, Advil, or aspirin. Instead, she recommended taking Tylenol and drinking plenty of fluids.
The entomologist at the Land Grant Division, Dr. Mark Schmaedick, also shared information about the mosquito species that carry the dengue virus.
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