Death toll in Samoa's measles rises to 42

The Samoan government confirmed on Friday that there have been three more deaths in Samoa's measles epidemic, bringing the death toll to 42 since the measles outbreak started in Mid-October this year.

According to a government statement on Friday, Samoa's Ministry of Health said that a total of 3,149 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team so far, with 213 cases recorded in the last 24 hours.

Nearly 200 people, including 20 critically ill children in intensive care, are now hospitalized with measles.

Currently, Samoa is in a state of emergency, with all schools closed, a mass vaccination campaign underway and public gatherings in the nation restricted.

Since the activation of the Mass Vaccination Campaign on Nov. 20, 2019, the ministry has successfully vaccinated 50,068 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 5-10 percent of infected young children in developing countries.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)