The Ministry of Health is urging families and communities across Samoa to prepare for possible health and environmental impacts as El Niño weather conditions affect the country.
According to a public health advisory, El Niño conditions were declared for Samoa by the Samoa Meteorological Office on 9 July 2026 and are expected to continue over the coming months.
The Ministry says the changing weather pattern could bring hotter and drier conditions, drought and water shortages, reduced agricultural production, pressure on food supplies and possible electricity shortages due to reduced hydropower generation.
Other possible impacts include stress on marine ecosystems, increased bush and forest fire risk, periods of heavy rainfall and an increased risk of tropical cyclones.
Health officials are particularly concerned about mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue. Hot and dry conditions can lead families to store more water, creating mosquito breeding sites when containers are not properly covered.
Heavy rainfall and cyclones could also contaminate drinking water and food, increasing the risk of diarrhoea, gastroenteritis and other illnesses. Hotter temperatures may increase cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses.
The Ministry is advising households to store water safely, remove mosquito breeding sites, protect themselves from mosquito bites, drink plenty of safe water and prepare emergency supplies.
People are also being encouraged to follow official information from the Samoa Meteorological Service, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the National Emergency Operation Centre.
The Ministry said the advice was particularly important as Samoa continues responding to the current dengue outbreak, and encouraged schools, workplaces and community organisations to adopt the preventative measures outlined in the advisory.
The Ministry of Health said it will continue monitoring weather-related health risks and provide further public health advice when necessary.
This story is based on a public notice issued by Samoa’s Ministry of Health.
