Samoa's Ministry of Health is to step up its monitoring of diseases as the Commonwealth Youth Games nears.
Preparations to set-up enhanced surveillance for the large-scale event started last year following the Small Island Developing States conference in Apia.
Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika virus, measles, influenza, leptospirosis and diarrhoea are among the list of priority diseases under surveillance.
Any unusual health events will also be reported and investigated promptly through the system.
Samoa’s Ministry of Health Director General and CEO, Leausa Dr Take Naseri Photo: Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
The Director General of Health, Toleafoa Leausa Dr Take Naseri, says the monitoring is necessary for the country's health security, and likewise the health of the athletes, officials and supporters.
He says the ministry needs to have a good idea of the general health status of everyone before the event starts, during the event and after the event.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community is providing technical support to the government for the enhanced surveillance system, which will run from 31 August to 18 September 2015.
The Commonwealth Youth Games run from 5-11 September.
