Dengue suspected in death of 19-year-old at LBJ

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa's Department of Health is sending a blood sample of the 19-year-old female believed to have died from dengue fever off island for testing.

According epidemiologist Aifili John Tufa, although doctors at the LBJ Hospital pointed to dengue fever as the cause of death, the off-island test is to rule out any other possible cause.

The 19-year-old girl from Pago Pago village and student at the American Samoa Community College, was admitted to hospital with a high fever and body aches earlier this week.

Dr Tufa told KHJ News there's no specific campaign against or dengue at this time as there is no outbreak and he suspects this is an isolated case.

He said dengue fever is endemic to American Samoa so there would be dengue cases popping up now and then.

The blood sample is to be sent to Hawaii on Monday.