Twenty-six children have been admitted to the Children’s Ward at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, with seven more placed in isolation because of dengue fever, as the hospital readies for more cases coming in.
Dr. Farrah Fatupaito told the Samoa Observer that the Pediatric Ward has been full for the last two weeks, and an adjacent ward is now being used to accomodate children admitted for dengue fever.
“We can’t send them back home when we know that they need to be admitted for treatment,” Dr. Fatupaito said.
With the spread of dengue in the country, Acting caretaker Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio has ordered the closing of all schools for one week, from July 28 to August 1.
From January to July 20, 2025, a total of 1,756 laboratory-confirmed cases have been recorded, with hospital reports indicating an average of more than 100 new cases per week.
The Ministry of Health confirmed the presence of two dengue virus serotypes circulating in the country: DENV-1 and DENV-2.
Children and young people remain the most affected and tragically, and, tragically, two child fatalities have been reported to date.
