As of the week ending January 4, 2014, there was a significant drop of influenza-like diseases from the previous peak of 400, with the new stat showing 322 people with flu like illness, says Department of Health Epidemiologist Scott Anesi in response to Samoa News queries last week. According to the report he provided, the number is three times their threshold for action and so DOH still considers this the high point of the influenza outbreak. “We are continuing to monitor the situation and will update as soon as the data is filtered and analyzed.”

The report says that there have been no cases reported from Manu’a. Anesi said the Department of Health, Environmental Health Unit continues to encourage all school cleanups for all school divisions, including Manu’a, in order to prevent future food-borne, water-born, air-born, and other vector outbreaks.

Anesi also pointed out that public awareness through the media is meant to encourage   the public, especially the schools, about the importance of cleanliness and hand washing as the first line of protection in the fight against the flu outbreak and other illnesses.

He said that multi-agency village vector control activities are continuing and also that DOH, LBJ and its community partners are actively working on the monitoring and surveillance of the influenza outbreak as well as the EBOLA preparedness plan.

Anesi encourages the public to contact “Infectious disease” at 731-7511 for management of patients and general information regarding the disease outbreak as well as for any information on EBOLA outbreaks and preparedness.

The clinic hotlines can also be used — 770-1574 — for treatment and care concerns. He said the Tafuna Health Center’s Primary Care Clinic and Dental Clinic continue their extended hours from 8A.M- 8P.M. every Wednesday.

He urges the public to utilize the DOH services to avoid longer waits at the LBJ Emergency Room.