What Is Causing School Closings In American Samoa?

Just what the heck is causing all the school closings in American Samoa? Will they open back up on Monday?

In a news report on April 10, 2014 it was reported that the schools are closed in American Samoa for the rest of the week for an outbreak…read more below:

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (AP) — American Samoa is keeping most schools closed for the rest of the week as the U.S. territory tries to contain a pink eye outbreak that has affected at least 2,400 students and teachers, disrupted court hearings and kept some passengers from boarding flights.

All 28 public schools were scheduled to reopen Wednesday after shutting down Friday. But only four schools in the remote island group of Manua are back in session. Officials in American Samoa, a group of islands in the South Pacific about halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, will keep schools on the main island of Tutuila shuttered until next week.

More than 30 percent of teachers are on sick leave because of conjunctivitis, a common eye condition better known as pink eye that can be extremely contagious, Education Department Director Salu Hunkin-Finau said.

“In order to help prevent the further spread of the pink eye virus, we highly recommend that all affected teachers and workers stay home,” she said. “Please keep your child out of reach (of) those that are affected by the pink eye.”

Conjunctivitis inflames tissue on the eyeball and lining the eyelid, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pink eye can be caused by viruses and bacteria as well as allergens, the CDC says.

Territory health officials say the outbreak is a nuisance but not very dangerous.

“It’s very rare for it to cause any serious damage to the eyes,” said Dr. Mark Durand, a health department physician. “And as far as we know, it’s never fatal.”

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What Is Causing School Closings In American Samoa?