Saturday 2 August 2025, Apia Samoa. A family is facing the tragic loss of two children to dengue fever as Samoa continies it’s national efforts to contain the spread of the viral disease.
Acting Deputy Director General for Hospital and Clinical Services, Ulugia Dr. Tito Kamu had confirmed 9-year-old Meaalofa from Mulifanua as Samoa’s 4th victim to dengue fever.
Meaalofa had passed away on Wednesday night.
This morning, however, the children’s aunty Eseta Leasi has shared the tragic loss of Meaalofa’s younger sibling, 2-year-old Gabriela.
Eseta Leasi’s post has gone viral and left the community in shock; sending in thousands of messages of love and support for the grieving family.
Eseta refers to the heartbreak being worsened by the fact that her bother, the children’s father, is overseas for work, and making his way back to Samoa.
“Aisea 😭 ua lua o uma ai💔 Le Alii e, faamolemole fesoasoani i mafatiaga o le tuagane ia Setu Anzy Leasi oloo kagi mai ala 😭 ma le toalua ia Annie Ale i le ooga ma le makuikui o legei ipu , sei avaku foi gao le koakasi sole 🕊💔🕊😭”
Thousands of messages of love and condolences are being shared and conveyed on social media for the parents, Annie and Setu, facing the heartbreak of losing both of their boys.
The dengue fever outbreak has now claimed the lives of five children in Samoa.
Ulugia Dr Tito Kamu is urging parents to act quickly, and ensure children are taken the hospital for medical attention early.
“It is best to go to the hospital, and seek medical advice from a doctor first, before traditional healers,” advises Dr Kamu, “especially at this time of the outbreak.”
If children are showing signs or symptoms of dengue fever, they should be taken to see a doctor immediately officially warn.
Symptoms include muscle and joint pain, high fever, headaches especially behind the eyes, nausea and stomach aches, loss of appetite and sometimes a visible rash.
Schools have been closed for a week with another week extension announced by the Education Director yesterday.
The children’s ward at the national hospital in Motootua has been at full capacity for the past two weeks and officials have set up an outpatient ward to cater for public demand, that is open 24 hours a day.
A national fumigation program has been rolled out across Samoa for the past week, targeting schools. Communities have also been removing tyres placed as roadside decorations.
Samoa’s last situational report had over 500 cases of dengue fever confirmed within a 7 day period. An updated report of cases to Sunday 3rd August should be ready by Monday.
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