A nine-year-old boy of Mulifanua village has become the latest dengue fever-related fatality in Samoa.
The child died at the Faleolo District Hospital, according to the Acting Deputy Director General for Hospital and Clinical Services, Ulugia Dr. Tito Kamu.
He said the boy had been admitted to the Faleolo hospital, and doctors had decided to transfer him to the Tupua Tamasese Meaole hospital.
“His condition deteriorated rapidly, and they turned back to Faleolo Hospital, but doctors were unable to revive him,” Ulugia said.
The boy’s family told the Samoa Observer that he began showing symptoms last Saturday.
He is the fourth child to die from dengue fever during the current outbreak.
The other three fatalities are a five-year-old girl, a 12-year-old boy, and an eight-year-old girl.
Health authorities have issued repeated warnings urging families to seek early medical attention and to eliminate mosquito breeding areas.
Parents are being advised to closely monitor their children for any signs of illness and to seek medical help immediately if symptoms of dengue appear.
