There were 969 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) recorded between 5–11 June 2023, according to the Ministry of Health's Syndromic Surveillance and COVID-19 Update released on Friday evening.

The data collected by the M.O.H. report showed that between 29 May 2023 and 4 June 2023, a total of 1198 cases of ILI were recorded by the health authorities with no deaths recorded. 

“The ILI cases reported are well below the threshold. However, even though the threshold has not been exceeded, the Ministry of Health still highly recommends the general public continue the practice of preventative measures such as wearing masks, especially when coughing and runny nose, hand hygiene and avoiding large gatherings without masks,” said the Ministry. “If you are feeling ill with flu-like symptoms, please see a nurse or doctor, stay home and take medications as prescribed.”

In the last two weeks, 50 cases of severe acute respiratory illnesses were also recorded by the Ministry. There were two separate cases that were said to be linked to each other. This means that a person spread the illness to another.

“The SARI cases reported have been investigated, and no known links were identified. Therefore, it does not meet the definition of exceeding the threshold,” said the M.O.H. “The public is strongly advised to continue to practice preventative measures as mentioned above such as wearing of masks, hand hygiene and avoiding crowded places.”

A month back, an increase in influenza-like illness, especially influenza type B, prompted the Government to extend the school holidays for a week to control the rapid transmission of the virus among the child population in Samoa.

 The surveillance report released by Samoa's M.O.H. comes on the back of American Samoa health officials recently reporting increasing cases of the RSV [Respiratory syncytial virus] virus which has led to the closure of daycare centres in Pago Pago. 

Radio New Zealand quoted the Acting C.E.O. of the LBJ Hospital in Pago Pago, Dr. Akapusi Ledua as saying the hospital management met with the U.S. territory's Department of Health to push for the closure of the daycare centres.