The Department of Health is seeing an increase of pink eye cases at roughly 30 cases a week, as well as an increase of those getting the flu, says DoH Epidemiologist, Scott Anesi, and while they are seeing patients from all over the island, Tafuna seems to be the most affected area.

Responding to Samoa News queries, the DoH EPI said the numbers are not significant enough to warrant a full outbreak investigation but definitely significant enough to warrant public awareness campaigns.

To curb pinkeye, DoH is actively trying to promote good hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing with soap and water, the use of alcohol based sanitizers and safe traveling precautions this holiday season — “so that we can steadily decrease the amount of people affected.”

It says, “As for the flu, we are still seeing significant amounts of affected people each week.” 

Two weeks ago there were a total of 126 people affected and the week after that there were a total of 117.

“Our threshold for action or the number that we use to signify a significant event is 110, so we are above the threshold. We have been above the threshold for seven weeks now.

“We saw a rapid rise in weeks 42-45 and are still consistently above the mark,” Anesi told Samoa News, adding that this is especially significant as it’s getting close to the holiday season.

This specific flu is showing a large portion of those coming in due to a dry cough, with other symptoms, that last a little over a week on average, according to the Week 48 report that ended on November 30, 2014.

He noted that they do a weekly analysis and release this report every Wednesday, and the thresholds are based on taking the mean or average cases for the time period and increasing that by two standard deviations.

“This gives a baseline for analyzing the data and gives us a raw number to track illnesses,” Anesi said. The flu is categorized in the ILI or Influenza-like Illnesses category.

He explained that “the acute fever and rash is highlighted because we are still seeing Chik suspected cases that exhibit those symptoms. The Chik outbreak is beginning to slow down and we are seeing an average of 30 cases a week. At the height of the outbreak we were seeing close to 100 suspected cases a week.”

Anesi added that they are continuing to monitor the situation, and once again, DoH advises good hygiene and sanitation practices to avoid these illnesses.

CHIKUNGUNYA STATS

According to the stats provided by the DoH, for acute illnesses since June 15, 2014 — with at least two of the following: fever, rash, body aches — to date there are 1171 probable cases reported with 19 hospitalizations, 0 deaths, and no further cases being reported in Manu’a.

Regarding the lab tests confirming positive for chikungunya: 37 of 67 patients were tested. Reference lab tests are negative for dengue, Zika and measles with further testing in progress.

“The data shows a decrease in average cases as well as a steady decrease in attack rate through all the districts. This week showed a slight increase in average cases from the last, but is still holding steady at an average of 30 per week which is still well below the 85 per week averaged during the height of the outbreak.

“All age groups continue a steady decrease in incidence, with the over 40 age group still showing signs of prolonged joint pain.” According to the stats, an illustration of the height which lasted from early July till early September and DoH says they declined shortly after. They began to see the prolonged joint pain in late August, “which we are still seeing.”

The report states, “We are continuing to monitor the situation for any changes. Mass text messages and media releases are being done regarding risk of disease, mode of spread, encouraging hotline utilization, clinic or ER care for patients with acute fever, rash and/or body aches, mosquito control and avoidance of bites.”

A “Chik Hotline” for management of patients and general information is available 24/7, call (684-731-7511).

The stats report says that alert and situation updates are distributed to physicians, nurses, key government agencies, federal partners and regional colleagues weekly. “Ongoing distribution of bed nets and mosquito repellents from WHO to families in need is facilitated by ASDoH.

It also notes, advisories of precautions such as good hygiene and sanitation continue. Travel advisories are handed out at the airport and seaport for departing and arriving travelers.

The report further points out that the American Samoa Epi-Net team continues to monitor progress of the outbreak and will report weekly. A Manu’a outreach was conducted by a Public Health team that included education and vector control.

With the holiday season, there are advisories on mosquito-borne illnesses heightened due to heavy travel expected over the holiday.

Also in the stats report, it indicates that the county with the most population to be affected with chik virus is Tualauta County at  34.3%, Maoputasi 17.1%, then Ituau 10.1% and  Lealataua 8.8%.

The Department of Health Chik/Ebola Hotline is at 731-7511.