Another child lost to dengue in Sāmoa, health official confirms

Acting Director of Health, Ulugia Dr Tito Kamu, confirmed to Sāmoan media on Thursday that a young boy died following an unsuccessful attempt to transfer him from Faleolo District Hospital to the national hospital in Moto’otua.

The ambulance transporting the child was forced to turn back just minutes into the 30-kilometre journey, after the boy collapsed and his condition deteriorated rapidly. Ulugia says doctors were unable to revive the nine-year-old.

While laboratory tests are still pending, Ulugia says the clinical signs point to symptoms consistent with dengue fever.

Speaking to the Sāmoa Observer, the child’s family mentioned that dengue symptoms first appeared over the weekend, but his condition did not improve in the following days, leading them to seek medical care at the hospital.

Ulugia also told TV1 Sāmoa that traditional healing methods should be considered secondary, and families should prioritise seeking medical help from a doctor as a first response. His remarks come after confirmation that the child had been sick for five days before being taken to the hospital.

Meanwhile, the national campaign to stop the spread of the virus continues, with community clean-ups and fumigation efforts still underway. The Ministry of Community reported that more than 1000 families were visited this week, thanks to the coordinated efforts of village representatives, youth groups, and women’s committees.

A press conference called by the government’s National Emergency Operation Centre earlier in the afternoon focused solely on the emergency response to yesterday’s tsunami event.

Watch a community clean-up by the men of Sa'anapu Village on Upolu's southern coast below.