American Samoa

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.

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.

In the wake of the measles outbreak, ASG had imposed the new requirement for Samoan citizens to provide proof of measles immunisation as a condition of entry into the territory.

Immunization records or any other documents will not be accepted by the American Samoa Government.

Travellers to the territory are advised to present a valid passport to the EPI Division at the Moto’otua National Hospital to process the Letter of Confirmation to enter the territory.

The service fee is $10 tala

The airline received a directive from the Office of the Governor in American Samoa that all visitors travelling from Samoa into American Samoa must provide proof of MMR immunisation or Immunity.

The new border control restriction came into effect on 13 November  2019 when the American Samoa Territory declared a Health Emergency signed by the Governor of American Samoa, Lolo M. Moliga.

On Thursday, Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga declared a public heath emergency meaning all travellers from Tonga and Samoa must show proof of MMR vaccination or immunity.

Although two health community centres at Leone and Amouli have been closed due to a nursing shortage, the Tafuna Community Health Center's hours have been extended and a local baby clinic is also administering shots.

The Department of Health's Aifili Dr John Tufa said immunisation was the best protection and was needed to keep the measles at bay.

Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga said the declaration covered the entire territory.

Lolo said effective immediately, all visitors entering American Samoa through Samoa or Tonga must provide proof of MMR immunisation, as a condition of entry.

All American Samoan residents travelling to affected countries would also be subject to Health Department screening.

The emergency declaration is valid for 30 days with the possibility of extension.

There are currently two suspected cases of measles in the territory.

Health Director Motusa Tuileama Nua said because of the contagious nature of the disease and frequent travel in the area, monitoring would continue until the epidemic on neighbouring Samoa is over.

Two-hundred people arrived on the Lady Naomi ferry on Thursday and the majority were sports teams taking part in a local festival.

A group of cricket players from Samoa was screened and the department said it was continuing to monitor the group, with regular checks for symptoms.

2009's 8.3 magnitude quake was the most powerful that year and struck shortly before 7am (New Zealand time. (30 Sept in NZ)

RNZI reports the subsequent tsunami waves killed 189 people. 149 in Samoa, 31 in American Samoa and nine in Tonga.

Memorial church services are being held to commemorate the tragedy.

Fonoti Tafa'ifa Aufata raised the issue during yesterday's budget committee hearings for special programs administrated by the governor for the new fiscal year 2020.

Fonoti said she was trying to locate the $US100,000 the governor gave to the rugby team from Samoa.

The governor's chief of staff, Fiu Johnny Saelua, responded by saying it came from money allocated under the Governor's Contingency Fund and said it was up to the governor how this money was spent.

Fofo District faipule Andra Samoa said like many villages on the main island, Tutuila, her village of Leone is infested with ice, as the drug is known locally.

It has become so prevalent even elementary school children are using it, Ms Samoa said.

Dealers and users are widely known yet their operations continue with some being children of local matai, she said.