5 Aug 2014

300 plus chikungunya cases in American Samoa

4:52 pm on 5 August 2014

The American Samoan Department of Health says there are now more than 300 confirmed cases of chikungunya or 'chik' virus in the territory.

The Health Director Motusa Tuileama Nua says his department and LBJ hospital have confirmed the outbreak of fever, rashes and joint pains among people on the main island of Tutuila is due to chikungunya.

He says there have been 343 recorded cases, with six patients hospitalised and no deaths, since the beginning of July.

He recommends those who are ill with fever and body aches do not travel off island.