16/08/2025
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER HON. FIAME NAOMI MATAAFA NATIONAL RESPONSE TO DENGUE FEVER OUTBREAK (Thursday 14 August 2025)
The Government continues to closely monitor and respond to the ongoing dengue fever outbreak affecting Samoa. Since January 2025, a total of 7,970 clinically diagnosed cases have been reported, of which 2,743 are laboratory-confirmed. The majority of cases (88%) have been reported from Upolu, with most concentrated in the Apia Urban Area and North West Upolu. Latest laboratory analysis confirms that 91% of circulating cases are DENV-1 and 9% are DENV-2.
According to the Ministry of Health, Dengue-like Illness (DLI) cases continue to rise. Between 4th – 10th August 2025, a total of 1,974 clinically diagnosed dengue cases were recorded across all health facilities in Upolu and Savai’i, including 555 cases at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital alone.
In the same week, 223 new admissions were recorded. Of these, 147 patients have been discharged, 75 remain hospitalized, and two cases are in intensive care. Sadly, one new fatality was reported on Friday, 8th August, bringing the total to six confirmed dengue-related deaths since the outbreak was declared in April 2025. On behalf of the Government, we extend our deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and reaffirm our commitment to preventing the spread of the virus.
To protect those most vulnerable, all schools will remain closed until the situation improves. Flexible working arrangements are being implemented across the public sector to allow employees to care for sick children and family members. The Government acknowledges and commends businesses that have taken proactive steps to support their employees during this outbreak.
In collaboration with the Samoa Red Cross Society, an average of 150 units of blood has been collected each week since the launch of the blood drive as part of the national dengue response. The Government extends its sincere appreciation to all blood donors for their generosity and commitment to saving lives.
In addition to ongoing village clean-ups coordinated by the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, Cabinet has approved a nationwide clean-up campaign on Saturday, 16th August 2025, mobilizing the entire country to remove mosquito breeding sites and improve environmental hygiene. Government-funded bulky waste collection, scheduled to support national clean-up efforts, commenced on Wednesday, 13th August, and will continue on 20th and 28th August, and 3rd September, alongside the twice-weekly general waste collections from households.
Fumigation operations have been temporarily paused to prioritise nationwide clean-up efforts. Full-scale fumigation, including training, will resume in close collaboration with villages after the clean-up campaign to ensure maximum effectiveness.
The Government urges all communities and businesses to actively support this national effort. Preventing dengue begins at home, and every action, no matter how small, contributes to protecting the health and wellbeing of our families, our villages, and ultimately our country.
God Bless Samoa.
