The risk of dengue fever is high following heavy rain that has been experienced in the past weeks and the Ministry of Health is concerned that there could be outbreaks.

Director General of Health Aiono Professor Alec Ekeroma noted that the nation has surpassed a crucial threshold, prompting the Ministry of Health to launch an extensive awareness campaign. 

"With all the rain we've had in the last two months, there are hordes of mosquitoes breeding and increasing the incidence of dengue fever," Aiono wrote. 

The primary focus of this campaign will be to eradicate mosquito breeding grounds, educate the public on preventative measures against mosquito bites, and encourage individuals to seek prompt medical attention if they exhibit symptoms of dengue fever.

Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral infection, poses a substantial public health threat, particularly in regions like Samoa where conducive environmental conditions facilitate mosquito breeding. 

Aiono stressed that proactive measures are imperative to curb the spread of the disease and mitigate its impact on the population.

The Ministry of Health Samoa's awareness campaign will leverage various communication channels to disseminate crucial information, including the identification and elimination of stagnant water sources where mosquitoes breed. 

Additionally, educational materials will be distributed to raise awareness about the importance of using mosquito repellents, wearing protective clothing, and sleeping under mosquito nets to prevent bites.

Aiono underscored the significance of early detection and treatment, urging individuals experiencing symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, nausea, and rash to promptly seek medical evaluation. 

He said timely diagnosis and appropriate medical care are pivotal in preventing severe complications associated with dengue fever.

Aiono urged community participation in the collective effort to combat the dengue fever threat, emphasising the importance of community clean-up initiatives and collaborative action to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

The last dengue outbreak in Samoa was in 2017-2018. At the beginning of 2018, there were almost 3,000 infected cases of dengue leading to five deaths.