Dengue emergency

The emergency was declared on 3 March.

Eight cases of dengue have been confirmed in the latest outbreak.

Questions have been raised over the declaration after no emergency was declared when people died of dengue two years ago.

American Samoa's Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua said the declaration means the territory could get federal money to help prevent, diagnose and treat dengue.

He pointed to the Zika outbreak in the territory for which the US government has provided US$5 million for the next three years.

The authorities say all neighbourhoods of the city are now affected and more personnel is being hired to try to eliminate breeding areas for mosquitos.

A 25-year-old woman died last week of dengue type 1 - the first fatality since an epidemic was declared in early January.

Residents are advised to try to destroy breeding grounds in poorly accessible areas, such as gutters.

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