Influenza-like illness still high In Samoa
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Due to the high amount of travel between Samoa and American Samoa, pointing to the past transmittal of diseases such as the flu, measles and COVID between the two Samoas, Samoa News is highlighting the following health report that was in the Samoa Observer last week.
Health authorities (in Samoa) have recorded a high number of Influenza-like illnesses (ILI) with cases eclipsing the thousand mark despite signs of it dropping early this month.
The Ministry of Health's Syndromic Surveillance & COVID-19 Update, which covered the period from 8-14 May 2023 and was released late Saturday, showed that during the monitoring period, a total of 1,016 cases were recorded.
For the week prior to that, data from the MOH showed that between 1-7 May 2023, the authorities only recorded 970 cases but this increase the following week.
A graph that the Ministry published in its report, based on the data of the total number of cases recorded, showed that the ILI cases peaked in mid-April this year with most of the patients going to other health facilities (excluding the national hospital at Moto'otua).
Nonetheless, the MOH report maintained that the ILI cases reported are well below the threshold. However, even though the threshold has not been exceeded, the Ministry recommends the general public continue the practice of preventative measures.
"Such as wearing of masks especially when coughing and runny nose, hand hygiene and avoid large gatherings without masks. If you are feeling ill with flu-like symptoms, please see a nurse or doctor, stay home and take medications as prescribed."
As for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), the Ministry said a total of 27 cases were recorded for the 8-14 May 2023 monitoring period, which was a drop from the 34 recorded in the previous week.
"The SARI cases reported have been investigated, and no known links were identified. Therefore, it does not meet the definition exceeding the threshold. Majority of the SARI cases reported are people diagnosed with unresolved or severe pneumonia.
"The public is strongly advised to continue to practice preventative measures as mentioned above such as wearing of masks, hand hygiene and avoid crowded places."