Measles epidemic

According to the government's emergency operation centre, there have been 5600 cases reported since the outbreak in the island nation, which has a population under 200,000.

The latest person to lose their life was 43.

Twenty-three new cases of measles have been recorded in the past 24 hours, and nine people are still considered to be critically ill in hospital, eight of them children.

As of Christmas Eve, some 95 per cent of Samoa's eligible population have been vaccinated against measles.

According to the government's emergency operation centre, there have been 5600 cases reported since the outbreak in the island nation, which has a population under 200,000.

The latest person to lose their life was 43.

Twenty-three new cases of measles have been recorded in the past 24 hours, and nine people are still considered to be critically ill in hospital, eight of them children.

As of Christmas Eve, some 95 per cent of Samoa's eligible population have been vaccinated against measles.

The South Island paper was forced to apologise for the cartoon - drawn by Kiwi cartoonist Garrick Tremain - which shows two women exiting a travel agency with the caption: "I asked what are the least popular spots at the moment? She said the ones people are picking up in Samoa."  

An "unprecedented" number of complaints were submitted to the Media Council as the ODT faced backlash throughout the country, including from Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon, for making a joke out of the measles crisis.

From fighting Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo to dealing with humanitarian emergencies like the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, and reacting to Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, UK aid heroes have worked tirelessly across the globe to save lives.

UK aid efforts are currently focused on sending British medics to fight a deadly measles outbreak in Samoa over Christmas.

And throughout 2019, UK aid has been at the forefront of tackling major global challenges

The Ministry of Health has amended laws barring non-residents from accessing vaccinations in a bid to curb the spread of measles among workers, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said on Friday. It comes as the death toll from a measles epidemic in Samoa - currently at 79 - continues to rise.

The changes will mostly affect Samoans in or travelling to New Zealand under the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme, which enables around 13,000 Pacific workers to visit New Zealand each year on temporary work permits.

The infant was younger than 12 months and died in the past day according to Samoa's Ministry of Health.

A further 31 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours which continues a slowing in the number of new cases.

The total number of measles infections is 5,494.

There are 93 people in hospital with the virus including 10 critically ill children.

As of 20 December, vaccinations remained at 94 percent of the population. The World Health Organisation recommends a 95 percent immunisation rate to avoid the spread of measles.

Parliament passed the Infants Amendment Bill 2019 on Wednesday.

Dubbed by prime minister as the 'Law of Compassion', it was rushed through Parliament under urgency.

It comes as the death toll reached 76, most of whom are young children.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the law would allow for stiff penalties for those who did not adhere to the compulsory vaccination law.

School principals stand to be fined up to $US3700 if they allow a child to be registered in school who has not been immunised.

Jerf van Beek said many Samoan RSE workers had been affected by the impact of the epidemic on their families back home.

"Funerals are a very important part in the Samoan culture and we know it's very expensive," Mr van Beek said.

"We as an industry really want to support our RSE workers who are being affected by it, that they are able to come to New Zealand, earn the money and actually take it back again, under a very taxing situation."

So far, one Samoan worker in Hawke's Bay, has contracted measles. This worker was isolated and had since recovered.

The team of 10 nurses, 2 Para-Medics, 4 Doctors and 4 Logistics personnel have been working shoulder to shoulder with their international colleagues and local health care providers since they arrived on 5 December in response to Samoa’s call for help with the measles epidemic.

But while away from home, the team would have loved to stay on for at least a month longer, says Team Leader Anne Marie Bruu.

 “We remain in high spirits because we believe in our cause and we want to help Samoa.”

The team comprises Mary and Milca, two midwives from Kenya, Dr. John a GP from Congo, Dr. Brian an obstetrician from England, Rocco a logistician from Lebanon, Kelly a nurse from the UK and Dr. Louisa, Team Leader also from the UK.

A second team is due to be deployed on 21 December to take over and will be in Samoa until 14 January 2020.