After a total of 216 confirmed cases of dengue fever since November last year, the Ministry of Health, yesterday, declared a dengue fever outbreak in Samoa.
Director General of Health Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma said the majority of the patients have recovered and have been discharged from the hospital.
He added that about 80 percent were on Upolu island with the most affected areas in the northwest of the island.
Samoa Observer reports the outbreak declaration means a national cleanup campaign has been triggered and will commence this weekend, followed by a fumigation program.
The district councils and villages have been urged to support the national cleanup efforts to get rid of mosquito breeding sites.
Aiono said the fumigation will target district hospitals and schools, as well as businesses, in the North West area.
He added that the most vulnerable age group is children from five-years-old to nine-years old, and senior citizens around sixty-five-years-old.
The ministry warned that those with health complications are also vulnerable to dengue fever.
Photo: Samoa Observer
