Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Governor's Dec. 8th public health emergency declaration due to the measles outbreak remains in effect, and American Samoa is looking at sending a request to the US President for a disaster declaration of public health that will lead to federal support.

Samoa News understands that a request from ASG may go out early this week. Because measles is an “infectious disease”, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) takes the lead and for ASG, it's the Health Department, which is the lead agency, with local support from the Dept. of Human and Social Services and two other agencies.

If federal assistance is requested, it’s addressed to the President from the governor, and goes to the USDHHS region 9 administrator, according to information received by Samoa News. And there are two federal declarations — major and emergency.

ASG officials told Samoa News that American Samoa would ask for the emergency declaration, which limits assistance the feds can provide, such as public health and safety.

A measles outbreak is a Public Health Emergency and USDHHS has the authority on these matters, according to federal public information and ASG officials. American Samoa’s request would fall under Public Health Services Section 319 of federal law.

Federal public information states in part that the Robert T. Stafford Act allows federal assistance under which FEMA provides 3 types: Individual Assistance for families; Public Assistance for government infrastructure; and Hazard Mitigation funds.

However, if an infectious disease is declared for American Samoa, the US government is only allowed to provide “Direct Federal Assistance” — paying for goods and services directly —not financial assistance.

For all the work the federal government would perform, ASG would be billed 25% cost share and the time limit is 60 days after the emergency declaration to, among other things — protect lives, property, public health and safety, or lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe, according to ASG officials.

Samoa News has been unable to confirm how much American Samoa may receive under the public health federal emergency declaration due to the measles outbreak.

A provision in the governor’s Dec. 8th declaration states that, in response to this emergency, ASG requests support from federal agencies, financial and otherwise, especially from FEMA, the US Coast Guard, and the US Homeland Security Department to assist in combating this outbreak.