Measles epidemic

Israel sends team to Samoa to help battle measles outbreak

“Israel is sending an emergency medical team in coordination with the WHO to Samoa in response to the Samoan measles outbreak. Israel is committed to supporting our dear friend Samoa in this crisis,” tweeted Ambassador Itzhak Gerberg.

No further details were given on the make up of the team.

Samoa has already received aid to combat the crisis from Australia, New Zealand, France, Britain, China, Norway, Japan, the United States and the UN.

Samoa's govt to decide how to spend donor measles aid

To date, 73 measles-related deaths have been recorded.

The government has said that 93 percent of the population has been vaccinated.

The state of emergency in Samoa, declared due to the epidemic, has been extended to 29 December 2019.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi told media at a special measles-related press conference that lawmakers would decide this week where the money would be spent, the Samoa Observer reports.

His comment comes amid accusations the government is misappropriating the donations.

UNICEF hits out at anti-vaxxers over 'dangerous' message

That comment from UNICEF Pacific representative, Sheldon Yett, comes as Samoa's government reports that measles has now claimed the lives of 72 people- since the outbreak began in October.

The government today said 4995 measles cases had been reported since the outbreak, with 75 cases recorded in the past 24 hours.

UNICEF is the world's largest procurer of vaccines for preventable diseases, including the Measles Mumps and Rubella or MMR.

Mr Yett said Samoa's national emergency immunisation campaign had been very successful with 93 percent coverage now established.

74 cases, no measles fatalities in last 24 hours in Samoa

According to the Ministry of Health a total of 5,154 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started.

There are currently 160 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities.

The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 1,632.

Of that, 1,400 (86%) patients have been discharged.

To date, 72 measles related deaths have been recorded. There were no fatalities in the last 24 hours.

Samoa extends measles State of Emergency

The Extension Order was signed by the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II this evening, (14th December 2019) at the advice of Cabinet.

There has been a change to the Order regarding public gatherings.

All public gatherings must not include the presence of children up to the age of 14.

All Children up to the age of 14 years, must show proof of immunisation in order to board any inter-island ferry in Samoa.

Foreign Minister and Pacific Peoples Minister to visit Samoa

“New Zealand has been working closely with the Government of Samoa and offering our assistance from the early stages of the outbreak. New Zealand has deep sympathy for the situation in Samoa and we are committed to supporting their response to this crisis,” Mr Peters said.

MFAT confirms New Zealand as likely source of Samoa's measles epidemic

Measles has killed 72 people in Samoa since October, in a deadly catastrophe that has highlighted the country's low vaccination rates - just 16 percent had both doses of the measles vaccine last year - and the influence of a growing anti-vaccination movement there.

But critics have also blamed New Zealand for the epidemic.

Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, and senior health officials have maintained measles travelled to Samoa from New Zealand.

NZ nurses thankful for air and ground support in Samoa

Twenty-four-year old Vanessa and 26-year-old Aimee work in emergency services at Waikato Hospital.

Despite being a busy time of the year in their department, they received full support from their supervisors to take leave for a week and volunteer at the front line in Samoa.

Preparing to self-fund their travel and accommodation expenses to and around Samoa, the two selfless nurses were surprised and grateful when they were informed their expenses would be taken care of by Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and Samoa Airways.

Samoa measles epidemic claims 71 lives

The Ministry of Health has confirmed a total of 4,898 measles cases since the outbreak started.

There were 83 recorded with the Disease Surveillance Team in the last 24 hours.

There are currently 169 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities.

Twenty children remain in critical condition in hospital.

Among the in-patients are three pregnant women.

As of 10 December 2019, approximately 91% of all eligible people in Samoa have been vaccinated against measles.

Photo supplied Samoa Govt media 

     

Samoa measles death toll remains at 70

The Ministry of Health confirmed that the death toll is 70.

There were 87 cases of measles recorded in the last 24 hours.

A total of 4,819 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team.

There are currently 169 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities.

Twenty-one children remain critically ill in the ICU/HDU.

Two pregnant women are admitted in hospital.

As of 9 December 2019, approximately 91% of all eligible people in Samoa have been vaccinated against measles.

 

Photo supplied