Samoa dengue outbreak doubles in past week
Since the beginning of the year, Samoa health officials have reported a total of 36 lab-confirmed dengue cases. This is double the number of cases reported the week prior (18).
One dengue-related death has been recorded to date.
94% of cases were reported from Upolu island. The most affected age group are those aged 15-19 years old.
Last month, officials declared a dengue outbreak in Samoa.
Of the five cases that have been typed, 3 are DENV-2 and the remaining 2 are DENV-1.
The following control measures are in place:
Active case finding and outdoor residual spraying (ORS) of all cases that have valid phone numbers.
Ongoing risk communication on dengue preventative measures and source reduction on all media outlets
Community outreach was conducted on April 27, 2025, through the Integrated Community Health Awareness Program (ICHAP) targeting selected rural areas to raise awareness on dengue symptoms and prevention measures.
Ongoing RCCE social listening to monitor public concerns and misinformation, helping to inform and tailor messaging for broader public awareness.
Officials offer the following recommendations to the public:
Continue to clean up and remove all stagnant water sources around the house to ensure mosquito breeding sites are eliminated
Wear appropriate clothing to minimize mosquito bites
Use mosquito nets and repellents such as lotion and spray
If you are affected, watch out for severe symptoms, and seek medical attention immediately. Monitor other people in the household for similar symptoms and present to the hospital for testing and health advice.