The Samoa Government has intensified its nationwide response to dengue fever after nearly 8,000 cases and six deaths were reported since January.
The island of Upolu, especially the Apia Urban Area and North West Upolu, remains the most affected.
Caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa announced that laboratory analysis showed 91% of cases are DENV-1 and 9% are DENV-2.
Between August 4–10, 1,974 new clinically diagnosed cases were recorded across health facilities in Upolu and Savai’i, including 555 cases at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital.
One additional death on August 8 brought the total number of dengue-related fatalities to six.
To protect the most vulnerable, all schools remain closed until the situation improves.
Flexible work arrangements are being implemented across the public sector to allow employees to care for sick children and family members. The Prime Minister commended businesses that have taken proactive steps to support their staff take care of sick relatives.
