16 Jun 2009

Samoa Ministry of Health steps up swine flu awareness campaign

9:12 pm on 16 June 2009

Samoa's ministry of health is stepping up its public awareness after a visiting Australian student tested positive with the H1N1 virus, or swine flu.

The ministry's director general of health, Palanitina Toelupe, says there is no cause for alarm as the country is well prepared.

But she says the public must join in to prevent a future outbreak.

"We are advocating strongly the simple, basic preventative measures, like when coughing or sneezing you cover your mouth with a handkerchief, and that people are encouraged to wash their hands and people are encouraged from staying away from social gatherings and unnecessary getting together."

Palanitina Toelupe says health workers are continuing to monitor all arriving visitors.