Three cases of pink eye have been recorded in Manu’a as the epidemic appears to be declining, with surveillance to continue for another week, while health officials are now focusing attention on a new virus called “chikungunya” — similar to dengue fever — that has surfaced out of Tonga, with thousands of cases reported in the island kingdom.

PINK EYE

As of Wednesday this week, the total number of pink eye cases for the territory stands at 1,049 and these are cases which have been seen at Health Department community health centers, and the LBJ Medical Center emergency room and Eye Clinic, according to DoH’s communicable disease surveillance nurse Sharmaine Mageo.

“Of this total, three cases are confirmed on Ta’u island in Manua, while there are no cases for Ofu and Olosega islands,” Mageo told Samoa News, adding that the three cases on Ta’u are two students and one adult.

Mageo explained that the information DoH received is that pink eye — known as conjunctivitis — spread to Ta’u through an affected person from Tutuila who traveled there for a family ‘fa’alavelave’.

“We’re at the end of the pink eye epidemic but will continue surveillance at this point, as two cruise ships are calling into the Port of Pago Pago” today and Sunday, she said, and noted that DoH staff will be at the port handing out brochures on how to prevent pink eye from spreading.

According to the American Samoa Visitors Bureau, the cruise ship ‘Oosterdam’ arrives today around 8a.m. from Dravuni, Fiji Islands and departs at 5pm for Honolulu. On Sunday, the ‘Rhapsody of the Seas’ arrives at 8a.m. from Samoa and departs at 6p.m. for Honolulu.

Because this pink eye is an epidemic, DOH “will have to declare the epidemic over,” she said and noted that an official announcement will be made at the appropriate time.

However, DoH remains concerned at this point due to the new cases reported in Manu’a that may “set-off a large scale epidemic” in that island group, according to a DoH notice issued yesterday. It also says surveillance will continue for another week, at which time a decision will be made by DOh to declare the epidemic over.

Mageo continues to advocate that the community practice good hygiene such as washing hands.

CHIKUNGUNYA VIRUS

In a public notice yesterday, DoH issued a “chikungunya advisory” following reports of over 10,000 cases in Tonga. It says that while there are no cases reported yet in American Samoa, “our community is at risk”.

Tonga’s health director Dr. Siale 'Akau'ola, says it is the first time the country has seen an outbreak of the viral disease and the virus has spread quickly, but is not causing any major health problems apart from persistent joint pain in older people, according to a report late last week by Radio New Zealand International.

Mageo told Samoa News that chikungunya “is very similar to dengue fever... caused by the same mosquitoes that we have on island.” She said DoH is concerned about people traveling from the Pacific islands, including Tonga, and entering the territory.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention says the chikungunya — sometimes called the "Chik Virus" — is transmitted to people by mosquitoes. The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.

Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans but the virus is not currently found in the United States, said CDC, adding that there is a risk that the virus will be imported to new areas by infected travelers.

“There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection,” it says.

DoH said the public can prevent themselves from getting the virus by practicing the same  “Three Ds” against mosquitoes that prevent dengue. That is— DRESS appropriately when working outside, preferably with long sleeves, trousers, socks and shoes (sport shoes); DRAIN all containers that hold water lying around your house, since stagnant water is an ideal place for mosquitoes to breed; DEET insect repellant. Please use an insect repellant containing this anti-mosquito ingredient.

If you develop fever, rash and body aches, says DoH, you should go to a clinic or LBJ right away.

See the DoH Chikungunya advisory elsewhere in today’s edition for more details.