American Samoa's Health Department reports that there have been 85 cases of dengue fever since May with 30 people hospitalized.
The Asian tiger mosquito is one of the vectors responsible for transmitting dengue fever. Photo: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
The average number of dengue cases seen at the hospital is eighteen per week.
Two people died from dengue in May. The Health Department says the only other Pacific islands reporting dengue cases are Solomon Islands and Tonga
Pediatricians at the LBJ Hospital say several children have caught dengue fever and some have been hospitalized.
The Health Department is urging the public to drain water from containers where mosquitoes can breed, defend one's self by using insect repellants containing deet, and to dress protectively.