American Samoa : Travel Health

WARNING! This information is out-dated and likely to be inaccurate!

Researching Travel Plans

Please note that this health information about American Samoa may be out-of-date. Always research the current health conditions and issues in any region you plan to visit prior to departure.

Infectious Diseases and Medical Concerns for American Samoa

The following medical diseases or health concerns are more common in travel to American Samoa (compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World):

• travelers’ diarrhea
• cholera
• Escherichia coli diarrhea
• hepatitis A
• schistosomiasis - found in fresh water
• typhoid fever
• Insect born diseases
• parasitic diseases
• Dengue fever
• filariasis
• Ross River virus
• Murray Valley encephalitis
• plague - risk for travelers is small
• toxoplasmosis
• hepatitis B

More Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for American Samoa

The following health concerns or diseases are more commonly found in American Samoa compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:

• motor vehicle trauma - wear seatbelts and avoid night driving
• Ciguatera poisoning
• corals
• jellyfish
• sea urchins and sea snakes may cause injury in marine waters
• sharks may cause injury in marine waters
• drownings from strong coastal currents are common

Uncommon or Rare Diseases and Medical Concerns for American Samoa

These medical diseases or health concerns are uncommon or rare in American Samoa:

• HIV / AIDS in donated blood - rigorous testing procedures make risk of infection from a blood donor extremely low

Vaccinations for Travel to American Samoa

The following medical vaccinations are desirable or helpful for travel to American Samoa to prevent contagious diseases in American Samoa:

• hepatitis A - or immune globulin (IG)
• hepatitis B if not already vaccinated
• rabies - if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation
• typhoid
• tetanus - booster dose as needed, diphtheria - booster dose as needed, measles - booster dose as needed

Preventions or Health Precautions for Travel to American Samoa

Any health risk of travel to American Samoa may be reduced by the following precautionary health measures when visiting American Samoa:

• high rate of motor vehicle trauma - avoid night driving and wear seatbelts
• mosquito bite prevention
• insect bite protection
• avoid drinking non-treated water - only drink bottled or canned water
• eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself
• to prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
• always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
• don’t eat food purchased from street vendors
• don’t drink beverages with ice
• don’t share needles with anyone
• don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague - risk for travelers is small)
• don’t swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer
• Earthquakes may occur - take care and heed local precautions
• typhoons may occur - take care and heed local precautions
• beware of stray dogs
• strong coastal currents may prove dangerous when swimming

Other Relevant Issues for Travel to American Samoa

The following may be issues relevant to travel to American Samoa:

• adequate medical care is available in major cities but is substandard throughout the rest of the country