Extra steps are being taken to ensure school children in American Samoa are protected against the dengue virus before school starts.
The dengue outbreak has claimed four lives since it began in May and at last count, the territory had recorded 338 cases of the mosquito-borne virus.
Public and private schools were sprayed to get rid of mosquitoes yesterday, which was led by a two man team from the US Naval base in Honolulu.
The Asian tiger mosquito is one of the vectors responsible for transmitting dengue fever. Photo: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
A Department of Health epidemiologist, Scott Anesi, says school-aged children are the most affected by the dengue outbreak and the spraying effort is an extra layer of protection from the disease.
Spraying will also take place in Aunuu and Manu'a.