WELLINGTON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) — New Zealand has pledged support to Samoa amid a severe dengue outbreak that has so far claimed the lives of five Samoan children.
Acknowledging the close ties between the two nations, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Wednesday that the New Zealand government will dispatch a small team to Apia, the Samoan capital, to provide clinical assistance and work with Samoan authorities on further medical support requirements.
Additionally, New Zealand will provide 300,000 NZ dollars (177,978 U.S. dollars) worth of medical supplies to aid the response efforts, Peters said.
Senior New Zealand public health officials are also engaging with their Samoan counterparts to coordinate assistance.
Travelers to Samoa are advised to take precautions against mosquito bites and follow dengue prevention guidelines provided by New Zealand’s SafeTravel advisory. ■