Hospital officials in American Samoa are urging parents to keep their children away from contaminated water, as many ponds and puddles remain on the ground following Cyclone Wilma.
Chief Medical Officer for the LBJ Hospital Taulapapa Dr. Alo Anesi is urging parents to stop childen from playing in water to avoid contracting flu and other diseases such as leptospirosis.
He says the public should also heed notices such as the one issued by the American Samoa Power Authority to boil water before using.
He says children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are vulnerable to health problems such as diarrhea and headaches if they drink contaminated water.
The hospital official says another big concern is dengue fever, and residents should get rid of objects that can hold water as they can become homes for mosquitoes.
