The private Medcen hospital in Samoa's capital Apia says it's starting to see more patients coming in with sanitation or food-related illnesses, such as diarrhoea and vomiting in the wake of last week's devastating tsunami.
The potential spread of such diseases following the magnitude 8 earthquake and ensuing tsunami has been a key concern for health officials in Samoa were over 140 people were killed and seven people are still missing after the disaster.
The Ministry of Health says about 700 people still require medical help for minor injuries, with 5 people being hospitalised in Apia's private hospital and about 17 in the capital's public hospital.
Three patients have been transferred to New Zealand for treatment today.
The Medical Director of the Medcen hospital, Dr Emosi Puni, says many people are still arriving at his hospital from the worst-hit areas.
"Most of them have come in with wounds that have gone septic - that's the majority of people that are coming in. But we're beginning to see people that are coming in with gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and vomiting."
Dr Emosi Puni says their priority now is to prevent the spread of disease.
