American Samoa

American Samoa declares health emergency over dengue

There were also two confirmed cases of dengue in the months of November and December last year.

Suspected cases as on the middle of February stood at 30.

The Department of Health said the strain found in the latest cases was dengue serotype 2, which has not been in the territory since 1972 and so anyone born after that date has no immunity.

Memorial today for American Samoa's Faleomavaega

It will be at the Lee Auditorium.

Faauaa Kataferu , the head matai of Faleomavaega's family , said the memorial service is an opportunity for relatives, friends and associates of the former congressman who are unable to attend his funeral services in Utah, to celebrate his life and farewell him.

The acting Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga will be one of the speakers at the service,

The family matai also confirmed funeral services for Faleomavaega, who died last Wednesday, will be held next Friday and Saturday in Provo, Utah.

 

WHO says dengue is spreading across the Pacific

Fiji has now confirmed 143 cases, Nauru has confirmed more than 50, and 13 have been confirmed in American Samoa.

That follows outbreaks in Solomon Islands which has had more than 10,000 dengue cases in the last seven months, and in Vanuatu which has had more than 1700 cases since November.

RNZ reports in New Caledonia three people have died and a health emergency has been declared as more than 1-thousand cases have been recorded since September.

     

Scientists urged to use Samoan names for rare deep water finds

American research ship the Okeanos Explorer is on an expedition filming the little known ocean depths of the territory's conservation areas.

More than 180 scientists have been viewing a live stream of images and commenting on whether the corals, fish, and other organisms they can see are new species.

Expedition Co-ordinator Kelley Elliot said scientists would be encouraged to give any rare finds Samoan names.

Drop in American Samoa's WHO funding blamed on past leaders

Over the years, the WHO has provided a variety of support - financial and human resources - to American Samoa and other Pacific islands.

Several years ago American Samoa received more than $US300 million annually.

The money also funded travel for senior health officials to attend off-island meetings.

Motusa Tuileama Nua told lawmakers that WHO funding is down to $US70,000 and that money goes directly to the Treasury.

Aua village appeals to US military for clean-up help

The Commander of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Lieutenant Colonel James Hoyman and a team of seven, has been in the territory looking at sites that the military used.

The American Samoa Power Authority has said that because of the seepage of oil at the site where the naval tanks used to be, any infrastructure or utility projects in the area would require a lot more funding.

ASPA has asked that the Department of Defense provide funding to mitigate the contamination.

But the US Army Corps has said no evidence to prove ASPA's position.

American Samoa has eight confirmed dengue fever cases

Dr. Annie Fuavai said of 13 confirmed cases of dengue seen at the LBJ Hospital, 8 patients needed to be admitted.

RNZ reports inspection teams are conducting a walk through of families' yards and pinpointing what can be done to minimise the threat from mosquitoes.

There will also be a focus on clean up efforts around schools.

     

More shipping woes for American Samoa's Manu'as

The government boat MV Sili took on water while docked at Ofu harbor in Manu'a at the weekend.

A valve was left open and water seeped into the engine room damaging one of the boat's generators.

Meanwhile the government's new $US13 million dollar vessel, MV Manu'atele, which made a sea trial to Manu;a yesterday will return with the damaged generator to be fixed on the main island Tutuila.

The Manu'atele, which arrived Janaury 4th from the shipyard in Washington state where it was built, has yet to be certified by the Coast Guard for passenger and cargo operations.

American Samoa offers new entry permit for Samoans

At present the territory offers a 30-day permit which costs $US40 and must be obtained before travelling to American Samoa , and a 14-day permit for $US10 which can be issued at the port of entry.

RNZ reports the Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale said the permit is intended to help boost the economy by making it easier for business people from Samoa to enter.

He said if this works, the same permit could be extended to other countries such as Fiji.

Samoa PM hopes American Samoa joins Forum

Tuila'epa told reporters in his first New Year's weekly radio programme that American Samoa can lodge an application to join when Samoa hosts the Forum in September.

He said if American Samoa decides in the future to become an independent country, being a member of the Forum would be a good move.

Tuila'epa said the two nations would not only work together but it would also mean a stronger voice for both on the world stage and within the United Nations.