As the largest private employer in the territory, Samoa News asked StarKist Inc., about the impact of the pink eye outbreak on the company’s operations in American Samoa. The outbreak has already affected many employees in government and local businesses.

StarKist spokesperson Michelle Faist said from the company’s headquarters in Pittsburgh, “At StarKist, the health and well-being of our employees is a priority, and we are committed to taking all necessary precautions during this epidemic.

“StarKist employees are screened each day to ensure they are healthy to work. In addition, we are hiring additional workers to temporarily replace employees who are directly or indirectly impacted,” she said via email.

The pink eye outbreak has caused closure of all public schools on Tutuila for the rest of this week, as well as all Catholic schools. Public schools resume next Monday, while Catholic schools go on their spring-break (which coincides with their Holy Week celebrations) and will resume classes on Apr. 21.

Several ASG departments are reporting that employees with pink eye have been told to stay home and this is a recommendation already made by the Department of Health.

Some business owners say they are also telling employees with the pink eye to stay home until they are well enough to return to work. One restaurant owner says her staff is being screened to ensure no one with pink eye is serving or preparing food.