The American Samoan Department of Health says the member of the Solomon Islands delegation at the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts who died yesterday caught his fatal illness before travelling to Pago Pago.
George Garry, a 47-year old wood carver, died at 5.10 am local time.
The Medical Director of the Department of Health, Dr Ivan Tuliau said the presumed cause of death was cerebral malaria.
He said the doctor travelling with the Solomon Islands
delegation and staying at the same accommodation venue, was informed of Mr Garry's condition shortly before 4 am.
He died before reaching the hospital despite intensive resuscitation efforts.
Dr Tuliau says that Mr Garry would have contracted the disease before arriving in American Samoa as the malaria-transmitting mosquito is not present in American Samoa.
A short church service was held later that morning, attended by the
Governor of American Samoa, and board members of the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts Organising Committee.
The government of American Samoa is to take care of all necessary arrangements for the deceased.
