Measles epidemic

An Australian doctor in Samoa has labelled the measles outbreak an 'extraordinary crisis'

 Fiji and Tonga have also been hit by the outbreak, believed to have originated in New Zealand, but Samoa has been worst affected because of vaccination rates as low at 25-48 per cent, according to the World Health Organisation.

 Emergency doctor Mark Little is the Mission leader for the Australian Medical Assistance Teams (AUSMAT) -- a disaster response team deployed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Dr Little has said the emergency is like nothing he has seen before.

 “I had heard how bad it was but it is much worse than I had expected,” he said.

Samoa measles outbreak: Red Cross staff describe 'immense' workload

All but four of the 33 deaths are children - under the age of four - including one who died in the past day.

About 200 people with the disease remain in hospital.

A mass vaccination campaign is under way and dozens of New Zealand nurses are in Samoa to assist.

Red Cross health delegate Karen Page is preparing to spend Christmas in Samoa if she's required to stay and help.

She arrived on Sunday and is working in the capital, Apia.

Three more measles cases in Fiji

Health official Sunil Chandra said the latest cases were two teenagers and a child, who was admitted to the main hospital in Suva but has since been discharged.

Meanwhile, the Auckland Regional Public Health Service said there were measles affected travellers on a flight from Nadi to Auckland last Friday.

Air New Zealand flight NZ53 departed Nadi at 2pm on Friday 22 November.

Public health officer Dr Maria Poynter said passengers may have been exposed and should watch for symptoms.

Samoan medical staff say number of children with the disease keeps rising

The death toll now stands at 32 - most of the victims are children under the age of four.

A team of 10 doctors, nurses, and support staff are helping at a district hospital on Upolu and there are also 30 New Zealand vaccination nurses helping with the mass immunisation.

The medical assistance team's leader Scott Wilson told Morning Report, the situation was incredibly serious.

Samoa PM, Cabinet visit measles patients in rural hospitals

The visit to Poutasi, Lalomanu, Leulumoega hospitals and the Faleolo Health Clinic also provided PM Tuilaepa, Cabinet, the Disaster Advisory Committee and the National Emergency Operation Center to hear first hand from the health care providers on the ground what their urgent needs are for Government to immediately remedy any setbacks.

Cabinet suspended its agenda Tuesday morning to prioritize the five hour visit to the hospitals in the rural areas.

A total of 766 patients have been admitted since the outbreak with 558 treated and discharged.

 

Three prisoners in Samoa contract measles

The cases were confirmed by the Director General of Health, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, the Samoa Observer reports.

A lawyer reportedly told the Supreme Court this week he was unable visit his client at the prison because of restrictions stemming from the measles outbreak.

The Observer was unable to reach the prisons minister for comment.

On Monday, a judge reportedly issued an order restricting the public from entering the courts.

Proceedings continued with journalists able to enter court rooms but members of the public were turned away by police.

Travel ban to Savaii lifted

The Revision of the Order of State of Emergency was signed by the Member of Council of Deputies Le Mamea Lemalu Su’a Tuiletufuga Leatuavao Ropati Mualia acting in the absence of the Head of State and pursuant to Article 106 of the Constitution.

The review of order is effective immediately.

The ban was initially enforced in response to the measles epidemic.

 

Photo Govt of Samoa media 

 

     

Samoan clinic under investigation rejects govt claims

In a statement, the Agape Jal clinic said it had provided vaccinations over the past three weeks and met the current standards and protocols of the Ministry of Health and the agency, UNICEF.

That comes after the Ministry of Health announced it had launched an investigation into the alleged unauthorised use of vaccines, which led to 60 doses being destroyed for safety reasons.

The clinic's statement said the three nurses were registered and had over 90 combined years of experience in the public health system.

Samoa PM, Cabinet briefed on measles epidemic

The DAC briefed Cabinet about the response to the measles epidemic at a special meeting Monday afternoon.

While the mortality rate continues to climb since the Epidemic was declared, 471 patients admitted have been discharged from the Main and District Hospitals.

A total of 679 patients were admitted since the outbreak.

The meeting heard that the vaccination programme is also picking up speed with over 32-thousand receiving their injections prior to the Mass Vaccination Campaign which started last week Wednesday.

Samoa authorities investigate private clinic, measles vaccines destroyed

The vaccines were incorrectly stored.

The investigation will look into the circumstances surrounding the clinics services and operations without authorisation and the procurement of the vaccines amongst other issues.

The clinic was operated by two registered nurses and a mid-wife who are former employees with the previous National Health Services, (NHS).