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OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR - AMERICANSAMOA
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Friday, May 1, 2009)
Contact: click here to email newsroom
Office: (684) 633-4116 - Fax: (684) 633-2269 - Cell: (684) 733-4680
PROCLAMATION
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
WHEREAS on April 29, 2009, the World Health Organization reset the global pandemic influenza alert level to five, the second highest warning of widespread human infection from the outbreak of H1N1 Influenza, commonly referred to as “swine flu;” and
WHEREAS cases of the H1N1 Influenza have been detected and confirmed in several countries including those with direct travel routes to American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa; and
WHEREAS the evidence to date from reported human infections indicates that the H1N1 Swine Flu Virus has adapted itself to humans so that it can spread from one person to another; and
WHEREAS the United States Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency, and President Obama has explained that the declaration was needed as a precautionary tool to make sure that the federal government has appropriate resources to combat the spread of the virus; and
WHEREAS the spread of the virus poses a threat to persons engaged in activities and businesses critical to the economy and infrastructure of the Territory; and
WHEREAS the American Samoa Department of Health must use all preventative measures, which will require access to available services, personnel, equipment and facilities to respond to the H1N1 Influenza; and
WHEREAS the H1N1 Influenza constitutes a potential epidemic which will require significant Territorial and Federal resources to detect, confirm and combat.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, TOGIOLA T.A. TULAFONO, Governor of the Territory of American Samoa, in accordance with the Revised Constitution of American Samoa and the Emergency Public Health Powers Act, and in response to this worldwide public health threat and the potential health impact it poses for the people of American Samoa, do herewith proclaim on this First day of May 2009, a state of public health emergency in the Territory of American Samoa.
FURTHER, all provisions and authorities of the Emergency Health Powers Act, Chapter 03, Title 13, A.S.C.A are in force. The state of public health emergency shall apply to all geographic areas of the Territory, and shall remain in effect until proclaimed terminated.
TOGIOLA T.A. TULAFONO
Governor of American Samoa
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