American Samoa

Dr. Annie Fuavai said of 13 confirmed cases of dengue seen at the LBJ Hospital, 8 patients needed to be admitted.

RNZ reports inspection teams are conducting a walk through of families' yards and pinpointing what can be done to minimise the threat from mosquitoes.

There will also be a focus on clean up efforts around schools.

The government boat MV Sili took on water while docked at Ofu harbor in Manu'a at the weekend.

A valve was left open and water seeped into the engine room damaging one of the boat's generators.

Meanwhile the government's new $US13 million dollar vessel, MV Manu'atele, which made a sea trial to Manu;a yesterday will return with the damaged generator to be fixed on the main island Tutuila.

The Manu'atele, which arrived Janaury 4th from the shipyard in Washington state where it was built, has yet to be certified by the Coast Guard for passenger and cargo operations.

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission is meeting in Nadi next week with American Samoa and others calling for more fishing days on the high seas for the US fleet.

Restrictions have impacted fish deliveries to the two canneries in American Samoa.

ATA executive director Brian Hallman said the association's main approach would be to ensure that all management proposals are science based.

He said that in the past that had not always been the case and rules should be applied and enforced equally for all fishing fleets.

Savali confirmed that the legislators have met three times and they have all lent their confidence and support for him as Speaker in the new legislature.

He said it was an honour which he didn't take lightly and was thankful for the confidence and respect extended to him by his colleagues.

Savali, who has been a faipule since 1981, ran unopposed in the House election for the Alataua District.

The election of Speaker will be held on 3 January when the representatives and senators are sworn in.

The pageant week begins with a church service and over the course of the week will assess each contestants through various activities planned.

Contestants representing eight Pacific Islands - American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Tonga have all gathered in Apia, Samoa.

Contestants and their teams started arriving in Samoa last week for the 30^th anniversary of the Miss Pacific Islands.

Cook Islands position has been helped in part by rivals Tonga and Samoa playing out a 1-1 draw to claim just one of the three available points in their encounter.

Following their opener on Monday Cook Islands coach Richard Anderson spoke of his team’s need to show their best selves on the pitch and he says today’s first half was reminiscent of that nervy first match.

“I certainly wasn’t elated with the first half,” he says.

According to RNZI, the latest report from Department of Health epidemiologist Scott Anesi shows there are now 654 suspectedcases and 23 confirmed cases of Zika.

The worst hit area is the Ituau district with 16 percent of the population suspected to have the virus.

Teams from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working with the Department of Health in response, prevention and the distribution of Zika kits to pregnant mothers.

RNZI reports thousands of dead baby rabbit fish have been found on the beaches and in shallow waters at the villages.

The Chief Fisheries biologist Domingo Ochavillo says they cannot ascertain the cause of the fish death and are sending samples of the dead fish off island for analysis.

Since the outbreak first surfaced late last year, 91 blood samples have been sent off island to test for mosquito-borne viruses including Zika, Dengue Fever, and Chikungunya -- which have similar symptoms.

According to RNZI, of the samples sent off island, 14 cases have been confirmed as Zika, including in six pregnant women.

The South Pacific island chain held its caucus Tuesday.

Clinton won 73 percent of 223 votes cast to earn four of the six delegates at stake. Bernie Sanders picked up two delegates.

American Samoa is one of five U.S. territories that cast votes in primaries and caucuses to decide the Democratic presidential nominee, even though those residents aren’t eligible to vote in the November general election.

The island chain has a population of 54,000