DOH holds press conference to declare Dengue Fever Outbreak

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Pulaali‘i N. Pula has issued a Declaration of Public Health Emergency in response to a confirmed outbreak of dengue fever in American Samoa.

According to the emergency declaration issued on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the American Samoa Department of Health (DOH) confirmed six cases of dengue fever as of Monday, July 7. Of these, four individuals had recently traveled to neighboring Samoa, while the remaining two cases were acquired locally, with no history of off-island travel, indicating local transmission.

Three of the confirmed cases involve children. DOH is currently conducting laboratory testing to determine the specific strain of the dengue virus circulating in the Territory.

Currently, arriving at the airport, a Health desk is manned by personnel taking the name of the passenger and their temperature to test for possible Dengue fever. Masks are also available at the desk for those who wish to wear them.

On the same day the emergency declaration was announced, DOH held a press conference to officially declare a dengue fever outbreak.

The event, which was streamed live on social media, brought together representatives from key DOH divisions and various government departments and partner agencies involved in the outbreak response. Each representative provided updates on their respective efforts to combat the spread of dengue fever, highlighting coordinated strategies and community outreach initiatives. Members of the local media were also in attendance to help disseminate critical information to the public.

DOH TERRITORIAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST ADAM KONROTE

Konrote emphasized the urgency of the current dengue fever outbreak, calling for immediate and coordinated action from both health authorities and the public.

“Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness that can cause high fever, severe body aches, rash, nausea, and headaches—and in some cases, lead to serious complications,” Konrote explained. “Because it is transmitted by mosquitoes, our most effective strategy to stop this outbreak is to aggressively control mosquito populations.”

To lead the response, he stated that DOH has activated its Incident Command Structure, mobilizing resources across divisions. Vector Control Teams have already begun targeted spraying at the homes of confirmed local cases and are expanding operations to high-risk areas, including community health centers, LBJ Tropical Medical Center, schools, and daycare facilities.

Konrote stressed that public cooperation is critical, particularly in granting access to yards and residences for mosquito control efforts. “We need everyone’s help to eliminate breeding grounds and reduce the risk of further transmission,” he said.

He also noted that DOH’s laboratory team is working to sequence the virus from local cases to determine how long it has been circulating in the Territory — information that will help guide the response strategy moving forward.

Residents are urged to take immediate precautions:

- Eliminate standing water in containers around homes and yards

- Use mosquito repellent and wear long-sleeved clothing

- Seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms such as fever, rash, or joint pain

“This is especially important for travelers returning from countries like Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa, all of which have declared dengue outbreaks,” Konrote added. “We advise anyone returning from or traveling to these areas to monitor themselves for symptoms for up to 14 days.”

He concluded with a call for unity.

“This is a time for vigilance and collective action. With your cooperation, we can contain this outbreak and protect our community before it affects more lives."

DOH MEDICAL DIRECTOR DR. ERICA SIPILI

Dr. Sipili noted that dengue fever is not new to American Samoa, recalling that a previous outbreak occurred in the Territory ten years ago.

She reported that the six confirmed cases in the current outbreak range are aged from 10 to 29 years old. Of these, five individuals have been admitted to LBJ Tropical Medical Center for observation. While their conditions are currently stable and not considered severe, they are being closely monitored for any signs of complications. The sixth patient, whose symptoms were milder, did not require hospitalization.

Dr. Sipili urged the public to seek medical attention immediately upon experiencing symptoms of dengue fever. She emphasized that early diagnosis and treatment are critical to preventing the illness from progressing to more severe stages.

The DOH Medical Director warned that if left untreated, dengue symptoms can rapidly worsen. In addition to high fever, rash, and joint pain, patients may develop severe abdominal pain, persistent nausea, and vomiting that may contain traces of blood. In more serious cases, internal bleeding can occur, affecting various parts of the body and potentially leading to life-threatening complications.

DHSS DEPUTY DIRECTOR LOUISA TE'O

Deputy Director Te‘o affirmed the Department of Human and Social Services’ (DHSS) full support for the DOH's ongoing efforts to contain and eradicate the dengue fever outbreak.

She emphasized that DHSS remains committed to improving the health and well-being of families, the elderly, and children enrolled in the various federally funded welfare programs it administers.

In light of the current outbreak, DHSS is now requiring all daycare operators to have their facilities and surrounding areas inspected, assessed, and treated by the DOH Environmental Health Division to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.

Te‘o also issued a reminder to parents: if a child shows any signs of dengue fever or other illness, they must be taken to a healthcare provider immediately. Children who are ill must remain at home until a physician provides written clearance confirming they are fully recovered.

To protect other children from infection, she stressed that no child will be allowed to return to daycare unless they have fully recovered. Additionally, she urged parents to ensure their children are up to date on all required immunizations, which offer protection against viral illnesses such as dengue fever and measles.

ASCC LAND GRANT ENTOMOLOGIST DR. MARK SCHMAEDICK

Dr. Schmaedick emphasized that the primary driver behind the spread of dengue fever is mosquitoes.

“As mentioned several times already, dengue fever is transmitted when a mosquito bites an infected person, picks up the virus, and then bites someone else, passing the virus along,” he explained.

He stressed the importance of community awareness and action, noting that individuals can protect themselves and their families by reducing mosquito populations around their homes and neighborhoods.

As the Land Grant Entomologist, Dr. Schmaedick shared that American Samoa is home to 12 mosquito species. However, only two are known carriers of the dengue virus — both identifiable by their distinctive black-and-white markings and their tendency to bite during the day, as they are not typically active at night.

He also highlighted a key behavioral trait of these mosquitoes: they are weak fliers. “They don’t travel far from where they hatch,” he noted, “which means local mosquito control efforts can be especially effective.”

Another critical point he raised is that these mosquitoes require water to complete their life cycle. “They spend their immature stages in the water. In order for the mosquitoes to complete their life cycle, they need a water habitat,” he said. “So, eliminating standing water around homes is one of the most effective ways to disrupt their breeding and reduce their numbers.”

Dr. Schmaedick emphasized that different mosquito species in American Samoa develop in distinct types of water habitats, making it vital to identify which environments support the mosquitoes capable of transmitting dengue fever.

Drawing from extensive on-island research, he explained that dengue-carrying mosquitoes typically breed in water-holding container habitats. These are primarily manmade items such as buckets, old tires, ice cream containers, discarded appliances, Styrofoam plates, and even saimin bowls — objects often found lying around homes and villages.

“If you look closely at the water inside these items,” he noted, “you may see the immature stages of dengue-carrying mosquitoes developing. These biological details matter, because they show us that by eliminating the habitats necessary for mosquito development, we can reduce local mosquito populations — and in turn, reduce dengue transmission.”

In addition to breeding sites, Dr. Schmaedick highlighted the resting preferences of adult dengue-carrying mosquitoes. These insects favor damp, shaded, and humid environments like thick vegetation near homes. He urged communities to clear such areas, making them less hospitable for mosquitoes.

He also recommended practical preventative measures for homes: installing window screens, keeping doors closed, and maintaining cleanliness to keep mosquitoes at bay.

DOH ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER AILENE SOLAITA

Environmental Health Officer Ailene Solaita explained that her division oversees the environmental inspection and safety assessments of homes and communities where dengue fever cases have been reported.

“We identify, advise, and educate residents on how to better protect themselves against dengue fever,” she said. “This includes eliminating mosquitoes and the habitats where they breed.”

She clarified that it is the female mosquito that transmits dengue fever, passing the virus from an infected person to an uninfected one through its bite.

To curb the spread, Solaita noted that her team conducts insecticide spraying inside and around affected homes using chemicals approved by the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) and regulated by federal health authorities. She assured the public that these insecticides are safe for humans while effectively eliminating mosquitoes.

Solaita encouraged community support and urged residents not to be alarmed when seeing staff dressed in full protective gear. The suits, she explained, are not a cause for concern but a necessary precaution to safeguard workers from exposure during the spraying process.

She advised that residents wait at least one to two hours before re-entering their homes after spraying to allow the insecticide to dry properly.

Department of Health (DOH) Director Saipale Fuimaono added that all Environmental Health Division staff have received certification following locally coordinated training conducted by officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA).

DOE DEPUTY DIRECTOR ATHENA MAUGA

Speaking on behalf of Director of Education Maefau Dr. Mary L. Taufete'e, Deputy Director Athena Mauga announced that all teachers will return to work on August 18th to prepare for the upcoming school year, which officially begins on August 25th.

She informed parents that student registration for ECE, elementary, and high school levels is currently underway. Registrations for ECE will be conducted at respective sites, while those for elementary and high school students will take place at the DOE Headquarters in Utulei.

Deputy Director Mauga reminded parents of the required documentation, especially up-to-date immunization records. She acknowledged that some student immunization records remain incomplete, sometimes due to temporary shortages of vaccines at the Department of Health (DOH). Affected students will be allowed to attend school, but parents will be advised by school counselors to complete their children's vaccinations once DOH makes the necessary immunizations available.

Mauga also noted that certain schools have been cited by the DOH Environmental Health Division for failing to meet hygiene standards set by the U.S. Department of Health. These citations involved classrooms, bathrooms, gymnasiums, and cafeterias.

To address these concerns, DOE has established a new Safety and Health Division, which is working in close coordination with the Maintenance Department to bring all facilities up to standard. She stated that back-to-school preparations have been in full swing throughout the summer break, with most school campuses already power-washed. She respectfully requested that DOH delay its inspections until cleaning efforts are complete.

To ensure pest-free environments, DOE continues to contract local pest control companies for thorough treatments of cafeterias and other campus areas.

Deputy Director Mauga reported that nearly 10,000 students are currently enrolled in government-run schools, including over 700 in ECE programs, more than 5,000 in elementary schools, and upwards of 3,000 in high schools.

In light of the dengue fever outbreak, Mauga urged parents to seek prompt medical attention if their child shows symptoms and to keep them at home until cleared by a medical professional to return to school.

“The health and safety of our students are at the top of our priority list, and we take it very seriously,” Mauga affirmed.

PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS (PHEP) DIRECTOR BEN SILI

Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Director Ben Sili explained that his office is responsible for coordinating the Department of Health’s emergency response plans.

“At this stage, we are preparing our first responders within DOH to respond in the field,” he stated.

While the DOH Environmental Health Division continues to manage vector control efforts, Sili’s office is working in close partnership with the Land Grant Program, guided by ASCC Land Grant Entomologist Dr. Mark Schmaedick.

“Our office serves as the gateway between local efforts and federal assistance,” Sili noted.

He shared that after discussions with DOH leadership, including the Director and management team, the consensus was that requesting federal assistance at this time is not necessary. However, Sili emphasized that the situation is being closely monitored and pledged to keep the public informed.

“We must remain vigilant and committed to transparency as we move forward,” he said.

Samoa News will continue coverage of the press conference to officially declare a dengue fever outbreak in this Monday’s paper — with the Q&A that followed the presentations.