Thousands of government school students in Samoa are taking an early break from studies this week following a decision by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture to close all schools as a result of an outbreak of pink eye disease.
The temporary closure comes after the Ministry of Health recorded a dramatic increase in the number of pink eye disease cases within the urban area.
Sources at the National Health division have revealed that it's more than 500 pink eye patients were reported to the eye clinic as of Saturday.
The number does not include cases on Savai'i island and rural areas.
Several mission and private schools have also closed this week due to the high number of cases.