American Samoa

Recommended Vaccinations For American Samoa

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A in this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.

Recommended Medications For American Samoa

There are no recommendations for American Samoa at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for American Samoa

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A virus in American Samoa through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in this country.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever may occur in American Samoa.

For Some Travellers

Chikungunya Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Chikungunya in this country.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.

Zika Fever

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in American Samoa, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where water and food may not be safe.

Rabies

NaTHNaC states that rabies has only been reported in wild animals in American Samoa; therefore, most travellers to this country are considered to be at low risk for rabies. Bats may carry rabies-like viruses in this country.

Safety & Security in American Samoa

Personal Safety

American Samoa is generally safe for visitors, with a relatively low crime rate. Nevertheless, it is wise to take routine precautions: keep your belongings secure, especially in less-populated areas. Petty theft and larceny are among the more common crimes, while serious violent crime remains rare. A particularly serious public-health issue in the territory is dog bites. Studies of emergency-department data show that over half of reported injuries were due to dog bites, notably affecting children and older adults. Many of these animals are freely roaming but owned dogs, and very few are licensed. There is minimal regulation of free-roaming dogs: according to local reporting, there are no strong laws to prevent loose dogs, aside from provisions to euthanize “aggressive” ones. To lower risk, visitors should avoid interacting with unfamiliar dogs - do not feed them, approach them, or provoke them, particularly when walking, running, or cycling. This is also advised in local travel guidance.

Extreme Violence

Violent crime in American Samoa is relatively low. In fiscal year 2021, the territory recorded 222 Part I offenses, which include serious crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor-vehicle theft, larceny-theft, and arson. The most frequent serious crimes were larceny, burglary, and assault. While violent and sexual assaults do occur, they remain relatively rare. According to historical homicide data, the territory had an intentional-homicide rate of approximately 5.38 per 100,000 people in 2016. There are no publicly documented cases of terrorism in American Samoa, and the risk of a terrorist attack is assessed to be very low. Current data do not indicate any notable history of hate crimes or racially motivated violence in the territory; additionally, American Samoa does not have a criminal “hate crime” statute. As a U.S. territory, American Samoa benefits from political stability and is governed by a local territorial administration under U.S. oversight.

Political Unrest

American Samoa remains politically stable, with a very low likelihood of politically motivated violence or civil unrest. As an unincorporated U.S. territory, it is governed through a territorial administration under U.S. federal oversight, which contributes to a consistent administrative environment. Historically, American Samoa had an anti-colonial “Mau” movement in the 1920s, but this movement was suppressed, and there is no clear modern equivalent. While isolated, small-scale protests may occasionally occur, there is no evidence that they have posed any serious risk to visitor safety or caused travel disruptions. In contrast, independent Samoa (Western Samoa) has at times experienced more visible political tensions, though overall, both territories are regarded as politically stable. Current data do not suggest any credible forecast of large-scale civil conflict or significant political instability in American Samoa. The World Bank’s governance indicators further support this, placing the territory in a very high percentile for political stability.

Areas To Avoid

American Samoa is generally accessible and considered safe for visitors, provided standard travel-caution practices are followed. The main population center around Pago Pago Harbor may be more congested, and there are recorded instances of petty theft, particularly in populated areas, though violent crime remains low. Emergency, medical, and visitor infrastructure is strongest on Tutuila Island; in more remote villages and on outer islands, services may be more limited and response times slower. When swimming or relaxing on the coast, exercise special caution: many shorelines have strong currents and dangerous tidal outflows that can pose serious risk even to experienced swimmers. On-site water-safety programs in the territory report an average of about seven drowning deaths per year, leading to a strong recommendation that visitors restrict swimming to recognized sites - ideally where local swimmers are present or after consulting with tour operators on current conditions. Because some beaches and natural attractions may lack safety signage or lifeguard supervision, and road or footpath lighting can be limited in certain areas, visitors should be particularly careful at night.