American Samoa

American Samoa confirms second case of measles

The second confirmed case is a four-year-old boy from Tafuna who goes to the same school as the first confirmed measles case.

RNZ Pacific reports the Department of Health sent 39 samples to Hawaii for testing on Monday and 26 came back negative while one was positive for measles.

The samples are both nasal swabs and serum - the nasal swabs tested negative, but the serum samples have to be sent to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lab as Hawaii didn't have the capability for serum testing.

American Samoa confirms a case of measles

The territory's Department of Health (DOH) said samples from the child, who was seen at a community centre with symptoms on 27 March, were sent for testing in California and returned positive.

Day cares are now closed to protect babies from being exposed to the virus, as infants under six months are not eligible for the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.

RNZ Pacific reports Kanana Fou Elementary School in Tafuna, where the girl attends, has also been closed.

Covid sub variants in America Samoa

The department's health advisory said according to recent sequencing results, the Omicron sub variants of BQ1.1, BQ1.1.24 and CH 1.1.3 are present.

RNZ Pacific reports the advisory says as of the period of January 16-22, there were five active Covid cases in the community.

It says if a person was symptomatic but tested negative initially, it is recommended to perform a second rapid antigen test 48 hours later.

 

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Man in hospital in Pago Pago after frenzied shark attack

The man from Portland, Oregon and employed by a local company, was working outside of the Starkist Samoa cannery, in Pago Pago Harbour.

The acting Chief Medical Officer of the LBJ Hospital, Dr Akapusi Ledua told KHJ News the man had a significant number of deep bites on his left leg and suffered significant blood loss.

He was operated on for over four hours, and is now a stable condition.

Arrangements are underway to evacuate him for further continuing care, likely back in Portland, Oregon.

Governor declares state of emergency in quake-hit American Samoa

The governor's declaration which covers the entire territory is effective as of August 10, when the Emergency Operation Centers were activated by local authorities and follows Lemanu's site visit to Manu'a this week.

"The facts and evidence that have been gathered so far have supported a compelling reason to prioritise the protection of life and property," he said.

"By signing this Executive Order, I want to ensure that all local resources are made available to respond efficiently and effectively in case these eruptions worsen.

Tremors still being felt in American Samoa

Director of homeland security, Samana Semo Ve'ave'a, said a team also would be arriving next week to install seismic monitoring equipment in Manu'a waters.

Small tremors continued to be felt last night at Fitiuta village - the first being reported on Tuesday afternoon with locals attributing the shaking to the underwater Vailulu'u seamount near Ta'u island.

People in Olosega have also reported hearing roaring and deep pitched tones as well as feeling quick tremors.

Quakes in American Samoa likely to be linked to volcanic activity

The US Geological Survey said earthquakes have been felt over the past few days and they are ongoing.

The agency said the quakes may be caused by a volcano, but a large eruption like the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai in January is extremely unlikely.

The territory's Emergency Operations Centre was activated in response to reports from residents of Ta'u and Ofu islands in the Manu'a group of the grounds shaking.

The first shakes were reported at 3pm local time on Tuesday with the last reports at 11pm that day.

Four passengers test for Covid-19 in American Samoa

The group is in isolation in accordance with local protocol.

American Samoa's Health Department Clinical Service director Dr Elizabeth Lauvao said a total of 240 passengers travelled on the flight and only four adults on the flight tested positive.

Meanwhile, the government's latest update on the community spread of Covid-19 shows that the number of Covid-19-related deaths remains at 31.

And as of June 21st, the total cumulative count of Covid positive cases stands at 6,353 positives since the community outbreak was first reported on February 27.

     

More Covid restrictions lifted in American Samoa

He said these are the four pillars to protect the territory from further surges in the community from other viruses in the future.

Lieutenant Governor, Talauega Eleasalo Ale, marked Tuesday as day 106 since the first case of Covid was detected in the community.

American Samoa adapting to surging community spread

The chairman of the Covid 19 Task force, Lieutenant Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale, says Covid is surging in the community and American Samoa must adjust to address the needs of the community.

"We need to move away from mass and indiscriminate lockdown policies and focus on adopting realistic and targetted policies to ensure that our people are able to live their lives safely while ensuring that life-saving services are accessible to our public," Talauega said.