12/09/2025
🚨 PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT: ACTIVE DENGUE OUTBREAK IN AMERICAN SAMOA 🚨
The Department of Health and Community Health Centers (CHC) are responding to an active dengue outbreak. Dengue fever is a serious illness spread by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito (the black-and-white striped one that bites during the day).
🩺 Know the Symptoms
Sudden high fever 🌡️
Severe headache 🤕
Pain behind the eyes 👀
Muscle and joint pain (“breakbone fever”) 🦴
Nausea, vomiting 🤢
Skin rash or small red spots
Bleeding gums or nosebleeds
👉 If you or your child have these symptoms, go to the nearest health center immediately. Early medical attention can save lives.
🛡️ Protect Your Family & Community
✅ Sleep under mosquito nets or use screened rooms.
✅ Apply mosquito repellent daily.
✅ Wear long sleeves and pants, especially outdoors.
✅ Empty, cover, or throw away any containers that hold water (buckets, tires, coconut shells, drums, flower pots).
✅ Change water in vases and pet dishes every 2–3 days.
✅ Join village clean-up campaigns to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
❌ Important Reminder
There is no specific cure for dengue. Treatment is focused on rest, hydration, and fever control.
Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen — they increase the risk of bleeding.
Use paracetamol (Tylenol) for fever and pain.
💪🏽 Together we can stop dengue from spreading. Protect your home, protect your village, protect American Samoa.
📞 For more information or assistance, call the CHC Hotline: 699-6380
