Samoa : Travel Health

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

Researching Travel Plans

Please note that this health information about Samoa may be out-of-date.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 Samoa

The following medical diseases or health concerns are more common in travel to 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
• HIV
• AIDS
• hepatitis B

More Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for Samoa

The following health concerns or diseases are more commonly found in 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 and sea snakes may cause injury in marine waters
• sharks may cause injury in marine waters

Uncommon or Rare Diseases and Medical Concerns for Samoa

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

• yellow fever - no current risk but vaccination certification may be required for entry
• malaria - no current risk

Vaccinations for Travel to Samoa

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

Any health risk of travel to Samoa may be reduced by the following precautionary health measures when visiting 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
• cyclones can occur - take care and heed local precautions
• Earthquakes can occur - take care and heed local precautions
• beware of packs of stray dogs, donot approach these animals
• strong currents can make swimming dangerous - consult local advice

Other Relevant Issues for Travel to Samoa

The following may be issues relevant to travel to Samoa:

• adequate medical care is available in Apia but not to the standard of industrialized countries
• medical care is substandard throughout the rest of the country
• hospital beds are limited and modern technology is lacking