As of July 26, 2015 Department of Health reports that have 184 suspected cases, 61 admissions and four confirmed deaths. At the same time the government launched a two-day clean up campaign last week to rid the island of mosquito breeding grounds, with the hope of stopping Tutuila’s current dengue outbreak. Six officials of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also arrived on island to assist local officials with the outbreak.

Last week Acting Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga spearheaded a two-day island-wide clean up due to the dengue outbreak. The clean up project comprised directors assigning 50% of their staff to participate in the clean up. In the meantime, the island-nation of Samoa has also declared dengue fever an outbreak and has more than a hundred clinically diagnosed cases of dengue fever recorded in just over a month.

Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri, said the fact that 121 cases of dengue have been found is a warning. He then declared that there is an outbreak of dengue fever and cautioned members of the public. “Five of eight blood samples tested confirmed DENV serotype 3,” he explained to Samoa Observer.

“Since mid June, there has been a cumulative total of 121 dengue like illness (D.L.I.) cases recorded. So far there are no reported deaths there but there are complicated cases.”

According to the M.O.H. Situation Report 2,  D.L.I. definition is an acute fever with any two of other symptoms such as joint and muscle pains, macula pappular rash, severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, pains behind the eyes, bleeding and leucopenia.

“To date, there have been nine hospital admissions with at least two Dengue Hemorrhagic cases. No deaths have been reported,” stated the report. Leausa explained that so far, most cases are from the Apia urban area with the age group most affected are those under 25 years old.

Male have the highest rate of those being clinically diagnosed of 55% and 45% for female. According to Leausa, the hospital staff are monitoring them. “There is no antivirus for dengue,” he said. “We are supporting them if they are dehydrated we give them fluids and plasma is given when required.” The Director General urged the public to work together in source reduction. “The public should take care not to panic,” he said.

“Take note that dengue is here and it can kill. Source reduction is the solution… there are no deaths but we might be just starting.” Leausa added that the surveillance for border control has been increased and schools, hospitals and other vulnerable areas are being sprayed.

The prevention of dengue fever requires control or eradication of the mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes dengue. There is currently no vaccine for dengue fever.