Samoa’s government has confirmed a ‘measles epidemic.
A total of seven cases have been confirmed following tests carried out on specimens of suspected cases.
The specimens were sent to the Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory Melbourne, Australia.
Five of the confirmed cases were children, two were under the age of five years.
The tragic case last week, which resulted in the loss of life is a highly suspected case of measles based on clinical assessment and evaluation.
The health ministry is currently awaiting laboratory confirmation.
The deceased child of one year two months was admitted on 8 October 2019 with a history of febrile convulsions, cough and skin rash typical of measles associated with severe dehydration.
According to the ministry, verification of immunization status for the child revealed that he has not been vaccinated against measles.
The Ministry of Health is advising and encouraging the public to get vaccinated against measles.