Rising dengue fever cases close schools until further notice

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 15 August 2025: The rising number of dengue fever cases in the country has continued the closure of all schools until further notice.

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) decision was announced yesterday as six have been confirmed dead as a result of the dengue fever and over 10,000 confirmed cases.

Saturday has been declared a national clean-up day for the country as a major effort to clear the mosquitoes breeding sites to combat dengue fever.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education & Culture, Aeau Chris Hazelman said that the longer the school remain closed, present challenges for teachers work as students are assigned school work at home and return them to their respective schools for teachers to check.

While the move is to keep up with the syllabus, some parents are concerned that such system provides no room for thorough exchange between the students and teachers.

Aeau said they have asked school inspectors to submit their reports which the Ministry can base the end of year exams, especially for Year 12 students who will be sitting the Secondary School Leavers Certificate (SSLC) exam.

The Ministry is now utilising the services of television stations to deliver some lessons as some parents do not like the idea of using zoom or messenger to contact their children.

Enough medical supplies
The Acting Director of Health, Tagaloa Dr. Robert Thomsen confirmed that there are enough Panadol supplies to cater for the hospital.

He said there is no treatment for dengue fever except for panadols.

“We will receive more supplies from New Zealand next week. We also received supplies from Australia and the World Health Organisation,” said Tagaloa.

He also confirmed that the Ministry is receiving fumigation chemicals from Australia and China next week to continue the national fumigation program to eradicate mosquitoes breeding sites.

Papaya leaf can be toxic if overused
Tagaloa was also asked about medical recommendation on the use of boiled papaya leaf – lauesi drink as a cure for dengue fever.

“There has been research done on lauesi and it is noted that it does have a curable aspect as noted in cancer, it also assists the system in recovering blood platelets, but it is not a treatment for dengue,” said Tagaloa.

He also said the Ministry acknowledge lauesi but that depends on the medical team or doctors to explain and clarify to the people how it is prepared and used, especially it can be toxic for children if overused.

3-year-old overdosed
Tagaloa also confirmed a case of a 3year old child transferred from Savaii last week who was diagnosed with dengue fever but had a fatal reaction to paracetamol.

According to Tagaloa, the child was admitted at the Intensive Unit Care (ICU) at TTM on arrival. It was later discovered that he had been given paracetamol every 3 hours to reduce his fever.

“I think this case report states that the doses were ten times higher than the doses allocated for children of such age,” said Tagaloa.

The child is now moved to the general ward and Tagaloa warns people to follow prescribed information on medicines when it comes to children.

3 cases of Meningococcal Meningitis
Meanwhile the latest case of meningococcal meningitis was reported yesterday and Tagaloa said their first reaction was to investigate the patient’s closest contact which is his family.

Because meningococcal meningitis is an airborne disease, the immediate reaction was to ensure that other family members are not affected.

He said when a meningococcal case is identified, the medical response team is quickly sent out to assess the situation and the surrounding area where a case is reported from, but at the moment, there is no concern.