Doctors at the LBJ Hospital in American Samoa are advising patients afflicted with symptoms of dengue fever to take initial care at home before coming to the hospital.
The advice is being offered to help alleviate crowding in the ER or pediatric clinc, and reduce the waiting time to see the doctor.
Medical personnel recommend seeking medical treatment if there is no change in their condition.
Dr. Ivan Tuliau, Medical Director at the Health Department says large numbers of adults and children are getting dengue:
"We do have quite a bit of numbers of the new strain, the type four. Previously the types were type one. This is actually a new strain."
There've been nearly 500 cases and 1 fatality since August.
