samoa measles epidemic

The change in status is the result of fewer cases of measles being presented across the country following an epidemic late last year.

During the measles crisis, the outpatient’s ward was transformed into an isolation room to accommodate measles patients as the number increased.

According to a nurse at the outpatient ward who did not want to be identified, the return to normality in the ward is sweet melody to the ears of the nurses and the people of Samoa.

Dr Mathias Bauri, Team Leader to PNG’s 14 member Emergency Medical Team responding to Samoa’s’ SOS to the measles crisis is putting his weight behind the Compulsory Vaccination Drive.

And his impeccable experience is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.

Revered by his country as one of PNG’s best Epidemiologist Dr. Bauri From 2009 has responded to in-country outbreak of infectious diseases threatening PNG which also included the 2014 Ebola Scare, the 2013-2014 Measles Outbreak and last year’s Polio crisis.

As of Wednesday, the death toll from the epidemic is 77.

Medical academic Toleafoa Dr Viali Lameko, from Oceania University of Medicine, said he believed most doctors were backing his call.

Toleafoa told the Samoa Observer that measles infections typically only had minor health consequences for infected patients, with outbreaks occurring in small numbers every year in smaller communities, worldwide.

Any inquiry needed to examine not only the medical system but the broader factors outside it which had influenced the health of the population, he said.

The team comprises 3 medical doctors, 4 registered nurses, 2 pharmacists, 1 coordinator and a team leader.

They are deployed at Leulumoega District Hospital alongside the Ministry of Health personnel until 27 December 2019.

Japan’s second team took over the healthcare responsive role at Leulumoega District Hospital from the New Zealand’s Medical Assistant Team during a handover at the hospital Tuesday.

The child was under five-years old, one of the most vulnerable age groups in the epidemic.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed a total of 5,371 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started.

There were 40 recorded in the last 24 hours.

The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 1,723.

Of that, 1,521 (88%) patients have been discharged.

As of December 17, 2019, approximately 94% of all eligible people in Samoa have been vaccinated against measles.

Ferolini Mala died on Sunday at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole hospital in Apia.

A total 5267 measles cases have been reported since the outbreak with 57 recorded in the last 24 hours.

There are currently 139 people hospitalised with measles.

As of yesterday, 93 percent of the population has been vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the state of emergency in Samoa, declared due to the epidemic, has been extended to the 29th December.

There were 56 recorded in the last 24 hours for Upolu, and no new cases for Savai’i.

There are currently 150 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities.

Admissions include 16 critically ill children in ICU/HDU.

The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 1,648. Of that, 1,426 (87%) patients have been discharged.

To date, 72 measles related deaths have been recorded.

There were no fatalities in the last 24 hours to Sunday.

He faces a charge of violating the Crimes Act, which forbids inciting hostility against the Government of Samoa in circumstances where a risk of lawlessness, violence, or disorder is present.

Tamasese was arrested in Savaii on Thursday and brought to Upolu where he was denied bail for risk of reoffending.

The allegation is that he posted on social media against the mass vaccination drive.

Mr Tamasese has extensive links with members of the global anti-vaccination movement, including those in Australia and New Zealand.

Since the outbreak began in October, 60 people have died and there are more than 4000 confirmed cases of the disease.

The country is shutting down for two days so mobile medical teams can visit people at home who haven't been vaccinated and give them the jab.

The lockdown applies to almost everyone except essential services. Private vehicles are also banned on the roads from 7am until 5pm today.

More than half the country has now been vaccinated, but in the next 48 hours, the government aims to boost that to at least 90 percent.

The outbreak of the virus has killed 55 people, most aged under four, since it began in October.

Yesterday it announced all non-essential domestic travel on the roads would be banned on Thursday and Friday, as vaccination units cross the country.

People are being told to stay at home and wait for those units to arrive.

All private-sector businesses except hotels, accommodation services and the morgue will have to shut down.