Death toll in Samoa's measles rises sharply

The Samoan government confirmed on Thursday that six more deaths in Samoa's measles epidemic have been logged, bringing the death toll to 39. All but four of the deaths are children under the age of four, including the six who died in the past 24 hours.

According to a government statement on Thursday, Samoa's Ministry of Health said that a total of 2,936 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team so far, with 250 cases recorded in the last 24 hours.

There are currently 190 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities.

Samoa, which has a measles outbreak since Mid-October, is now in a state of emergency, with all schools closed, a mass vaccination campaign underway and public gatherings in the nation restricted.

A total of 32,743 vaccinations were completed before the Mass Vaccination Campaign.

Since the activation of the Mass Vaccination Campaign on 20 November 2019, the ministry has successfully vaccinated 44,907 individuals in the nation.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. Death may occur in up to 5 percent to 10 percent of infected children in developing countries.