PRESS STATEMENT – DELIVERED BY HON. PRIME MINISTER
NATIONAL RESPONSE TO DENGUE FEVER OUTBREAK
Good afternoon Samoa,
The Ministry of Health has provided the latest update on the dengue fever outbreak since it was declared on 17th of April 2025.
As of Sunday, 3rd August 2025, a total of 5,670 clinically diagnosed cases have been recorded since January this year, of which 2,619 are laboratory confirmed cases.
In just the past week, 1,446 new clinically diagnosed cases have been reported across Upolu and Savai’i, including 342 new lab confirmed cases.
Two dengue virus strains are in circulation – DENV – 1, which accounts for 85% of confirmed cases and DENV – 2, which makes up 15%. 71% of these cases are children under the age of 15.
To date, there have been four confirmed and one probable dengue related death.
Some 115 patients were hospitalized with 64 discharged and 51 still receiving care. No cases have required ICU care at this stage.
The government, through the National Emergency Operations Centre, continues to lead a whole of government response to this outbreak.
This includes;
• Fumigation across villages, schools, workplaces and public places;
• Fumigation of 225 schools in Upolu and Manono and 97 schools in Savai’i, as well as the National University of Samoa, the University of the South Pacific and Tesese Institute;
• Re-fumigation of all district hospitals in Upolu and Manono Island;
• Targeted operations in high-risk areas such as Saleimoa, Nuu Fou, Vaitele Uta , Vailele Fou, Vailele and Toamua;
• A blood drive, led by the Samoa Red Cross Society partnership with the Ministry of Health continues;
• Ongoing clean-up of waterways, led by the Drainage Committee;
• National bulky waste collection, scheduled for the 13th, 20th and 27th August;
• Household inspections in more than 2,045 homes have been conducted through the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development’s Aiga Manuia Nuu Manuia initiative.
These inspections confirmed that poor waste disposal practices, stagnant water and overgrown vegetation are major contributors to heightened mosquito breeding places. Cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility as it has part of our lives as Samoans. I urge families, villages all of us to take every necessary action to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
At the same time, we should enhance measures to protect our families and loved ones by wearing protective clothing and use mosquito repellents, use mosquito nets, especially for children and the elderly, seek immediate medication attention for dengue symptoms, and avoid resorting to traditional healing (fofo Samoa) for dengue.
On behalf of Government and the people of Samoa, I extend our deepest condolences to the parents and families of the children we have lost.
Our children are dear to us, and the loss of a young soul is utterly sorrowful. May the Holy Spirit comfort parents and families of the children we have lost. We remember you in these sorrowful times.
It is important to heed advice from the Ministry of Health. For parents and guardians, please seek immediately medical assistance if your child develops dengue fever symptoms. Do not wait until it is too late. Early treatment can save lives.
Government remains fully committed to protecting our people through continued prevention control and awareness efforts. We thank you all for working together with us in all our efforts to overcome this outbreak.
Let us unite in prayer and in our efforts to protect our families, our loved ones and our country.
Soifua ma ia manuia.
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