In an advisory issued yesterday, the Department of Health says the pink eye outbreak is slowing down but not completely gone, adding that there have been seven new cases reported in the past week compared with 21 cases the previous week.

“There have been no new cases reported in Manu’a since Apr. 21, 2014,” said DOH, which reported before Flag Day two confirmed cases on Ta’u island in Manu’a.

According to health officials pink eye is a viral disease that causes pain, itching, redness and discharge from the eye and usually lasts for about seven days. The virus is contagious and when a person with pink eye rubs their eyes, they get the virus on their hands and spread it to everything they touch.

DoH reiterated the need to practice good hygiene such as washing hands or using hand sanitizer often. Also those with pink eye should stay home and avoid congregating with others.

DoH also issued yesterday an advisory for Chikungunya or ‘chik’ virus, which is a disease that spreads from the bite of a mosquito. DoH confirmed that there “are no reported cases” yet in American Samoa, while over 10,000 cases have been reported in Tonga.

“The disease can cause disabling joint pains lasting for several months and is rarely fatal,” the advisory said and urged residents to “watch out” for the ‘chik’ virus and report to DoH clinics or to the hospital right away if the person develops a fever, rash and body aches.

You can protect yourself from ‘chik virus’ by cleaning up trash containers and old tires that collect rain water and breed mosquitoes around your house. Wear long sleeve shirts and pants and use mosquito spray to prevent bites.