Samoa continues to experience reported cases of dengue fever, with thousands of people affected and children under 15 most at risk, according to the Pacific Community (SPC).

As of March 22, 2026, Samoa has recorded 17,778 clinically diagnosed dengue cases and 5,234 laboratory-confirmed cases since January 2025. 

During mid-March, 64 confirmed cases were reported in one week, a 21 per cent increase from the previous week, and 23 people were admitted to the hospital. No intensive care admissions or dengue-related deaths were reported that week. The total number of dengue-related deaths in Samoa remains nine.

The main virus type is DENV-1 (68 per cent), followed by DENV-2 (32 per cent). The disease is spreading across Upolu (64 per cent of cases) and Savaii (36 per cent). In most cases, 74 per cent are in children under 15.

The blue alert for DENV-1 and DENV-2 remains in effect. 

The Ministry of Health urges people to take the proactive step of preventing mosquitoes from breeding by cleaning up around homes and ridding places that can hold water. Dengue is carried and spread by mosquitoes.

Other Pacific countries are dealing with various outbreaks, including dengue in the Cook Islands and New Caledonia, rotavirus in Kiribati, and pertussis in Vanuatu and Pohnpei.