6 Apr 2007

American Samoa residents urged to take action against mosquitoes

10:59 am on 6 April 2007

American Samoa's Department of Health has recorded 8 cases of dengue fever in the first three months of 2007.

The Health Department is urging residents to take protective measures to safeguard themselves from the disease which is spread by mosquitoes.

Epidemiologist Ray Roth says people must take active measures to clean up moquito breeding places.

"We've seen some very solid research about the types of mosquitoes that spread dengue fever breeding in standing water around the house. Things like old tyres and drums and buckets, even old ice cream containers around the house. That's where these mosquitoes are breeding so we really want to focus on that."