Samoa Safeguards Athletes Amid Dengue Outbreak
Football Federation Acts to Protect Teams for U-16 Championship
As Samoa prepares to host the OFC Under-16 Women’s Championship, the Samoa Football Federation (SFA) has implemented robust measures to shield participants from a concerning rise in dengue fever cases.
Proactive Hotel Inspections Underway
The SFA has conducted thorough assessments of hotels designated for visiting teams, verifying their readiness to ensure guest safety. This initiative stems from the recent surge in dengue fever nationwide.
The federation confirmed that hotels have adopted comprehensive strategies to mitigate health risks. These include widespread spraying to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, ensuring each room is equipped with repellents, and readily supplying hand sanitizers to promote hygiene.
“We were pleased to discover that the hotels have implemented several comprehensive measures,” an SFA statement detailed. “They have already conducted thorough spraying to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds, each room is equipped with repellent, ensuring guests have easy access to protection while they relax.”
The federation added, “Hand sanitisers will be readily available throughout the premises, promoting good hygiene practices and the hotels are committed to maintaining a clean and safe environment, offering peace of mind to everyone staying with them.”
Championship Details and National Response
The OFC Under-16 tournament is scheduled to commence in Apia this Friday, featuring eight nations: Fiji, American Samoa, Samoa, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Solomon Islands, and Tonga. The OFC is expected to provide an update on health risks to participating teams on Wednesday.
Local reports indicate that nearly 16,000 dengue fever cases have been recorded in Samoa, leading to school closures this week. A nationwide fumigation operation has resumed, targeting schools and other high-risk areas as part of the dengue response. This is in addition to a community clean-up campaign held last Saturday to clear potential mosquito breeding grounds.
Vulnerable Populations Targeted
Dr. Tito Kamu, Deputy Director of the Pediatric Ward at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, confirmed that cases are escalating. The most affected age group spans from one to fifteen years old, highlighting the vulnerability of the championship’s participants’ age bracket.
The hospital is reportedly managing the influx of patients by bringing in public health doctors and calling in senior medical staff for on-call assistance. The Ministry of Health has also advised the public to take precautions such as wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
