measles

The outbreak which started in New Zealand has hit Samoa the hardest with 76 people killed as of Wednesday and more than 5,300 cases recorded since October.

A statement from the Solomon Islands health ministry issued on 11 December said everyone travelling to Solomon Islands must present a traveller's public health declaration card on arrival.

Anyone travelling from countries affected by measles must show certified proof that they have received a measles vaccination at least three weeks prior to arriving in Solomon Islands.

He said he was briefed by health officials and based on that, he had made changes to the public health emergency declaration.

The ban on entry permits has also been lifted but are still subject to restrictions.

The proclamation of amended restriction during the continued public health emergency includes the following:

The restriction on public gatherings is hereby lifted

All entry permits from the Independent State of Samoa will require a 15 day review period while those from other countries will be under review for 30 days

Department of Health Epidemiologist Dr. Aifili John Tufa said they are still investigating how the child contracted the measles virus.

The territory has received a shipment of 8,000 vaccines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is launching a mass vaccination program in villages tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the vaccination of employees of the StarKist Samoa cannery which has a workforce of 2,000.

This past week only one measles suspected case was seen at the LBJ Hospital and a blood sample is being sent to Hawaii for testing.

“Samoa’s health system has experienced massive strain in the wake of the measles epidemic. The volume of patients needing care during this outbreak, and the number of very complex cases, has been unprecedented for Samoa,” Mr Peters said.

“New Zealand is committed to supporting Samoa through this crisis. Samoa’s health system and workers are facing exhaustion and while there are positive signs we may be beyond the peak of the epidemic, there is still a way to go yet.

Hawke's Bay's Alan Wright is the clinical team leader for the New Zealand Medical Assistance Team 'Bravo', the second rotation to help in Samoa with the outbreak.

He's running the response at Leulumoega Distric Hospital, with all other patients diverted for treatment to a smaller clinic near Faleolo Airport on Upolu.

Dr Wright said he knew of workers preparing to leave New Zealand's Hawke's Bay, who were unvaccinated.

Of the nine, five are people who are travellers to the territory.

Epidemiologist Dr Aifili John Tufa announced the outbreak during a live broadcast fundraiser to help neighbouring Samoa's fight against the disease.

Dr Tufa later told KHJ News they believe there are other cases that have not presented at the hospital.

Today was the final day of a nation-wide shut down while vaccination teams visit households to administer shots in an effort to stem a deadly measles epidemic.

Josh Green is leading a team of 70 healthcare professionals from Hawai'i assisting in Samoa.

The death toll from the outbreak now stands at 63 measles with one fatality over the last 24 hours.

Mr Green said he had witnessed the toll of the outbreak first-hand but was hopeful of an end in sight, with the government reporting over 17,000 vaccines had been administered over the first day.

Photos have been posted by the official Government’s social media page showing teams have been dispatched out in to the community to carry out vaccinations for the whole of Samoa.

A reminder have also been issued to the public to hang a ‘Red Cloth’ or ‘Red Flag’ in front of their houses and make sure it is visible from the road.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the country stands at 60.

It is alleged that the two had attempted to undermine the Mass Vaccination Drive through Social Media posts and, by promoting alternative treatments.

Both men were questioned on Saturday and issued with strong warnings.

Police and the Office of the Attorney General will monitor the activities of these and other individuals, and will continue their inquiries.

Law enforcement re-emphasises a caution to members of the public, not to breach the State of Emergency Orders.

Samoa Global News reports that Leilua was informed his daughter, born on 3 November, had been admitted to Isolation 2 at Motootua National Hospital shortly after arriving in Dubai last week.

The 23-year-old, who has scored 20 tries in 69 appearances on the World Sevens Series, told the website that there has since been "improvement" and that he is praying "for all the families affected by the measles".

Paulo Fanuasa and Kelvin Masoe have been called into the Samoan squad in Dubai and head coach Sir Gordon Tietjens said the whole team was thinking of Leilua and his family.