The American Samoa Health Department has received confirmation that dengue fever was the cause of death of a ten year old boy who died early last month at the LBJ Hospital.
The boy had been admitted to the hospital with symptoms of the disease.
Parents are being urged to take extra precautions with children who display symptoms of the disease.
Dr. Ivan Tuliau says children can quickly develop advanced stages of the disease and are more susceptible than adults.
He said if every family cleans its surroundings and gets rid of containers, tyres and other receptacles that can hold water and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, American Samoa could emulate Papua New Guinea which has eliminated the disease
