Government agencies with health and environmental responsibilities in American Samoa are stepping up efforts to stop the spread of leptospirosis.
Five people have died from the disease in one year.
A study last year on the prevalence of the disease suggested that 17 per cent of those infected with the disease within the last year, got it from pigs.
Agencies are now strictly enforcing standards for the construction of piggeries.
They require that land use permits must be obtained for the construction of piggeries.
Department of Health inspectors and Environmental Protection Agency staff are trying to teach piggery owners about laws governing piggeries, waterborne disease caused by pig waste and the permit requirement.
