22 Dec 2014

Health vigilance urged in inter-Samoan travel

2:43 pm on 22 December 2014

Health authorities in American Samoa are reminding people travelling over the Christmas holidays to be vigilant and protect themselves against the chikungunya virus.

Since December the 15th, Polynesian Airlines has been running 15 flights a day between Samoa and American Samoa.

The number of people who have been infected with chikungunya in Samoa exceeds 3,000, and in American Samoa there are more than 1,000 suspected cases.

Our correspondent, Fili Sagapolutele, says even though the number of chikungunya cases has been dropping in American Samoa, the health department wants to ensure the community is well protected during the holidays.

"Since last week, flights have been operating fully booked between American Samoa and Samoa, so there's a lot of people travelling back and forth and that's one of the concerns, they want to make sure people are protected."

Fili Sagapolutele says health authorities are asking that everyone continue to practice good hygiene including regular hand washing, using hand sanitiser and insect repellant.