Measles epidemic

Samoa's government has said it suspects that the measles virus has caused seven deaths, since the outbreak was declared in October.

As of Monday, 628 suspected measles cases had been recorded with 48 confirmed so far.

Auckland University's Helen Petousis-Harris said the disease was at the stage where it was now difficult to stop.

She said the deaths were a tragedy.

"How it can be stopped, I don't know, it's like a wildfire that is burning now out of control, so how you can contain something like that is enormously difficult."

As of 11 November 2019 there have been 716 suspected or confirmed measles cases, an increase of 203 over the previous week.

The ministry says unfortunately there have been an additional three measles-related deaths, all young children, bringing the total of measles-related deaths to six.

Young children have been particularly hard hit, with 58% of cases being aged 4 years and under.

Over 40% of all cases have required admission to hospital, almost 90% of these to TTM Hospital.

According to the Director General of Health, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, most of the victims are children.

As of Monday, 11 November 2019 the Ministry of Health reported 628 suspected cases of measles.

Lab tests have confirmed 48 cases of the highly contagious virus.

The ministry has administered 20,000 doses of the MMR vaccination to the public as part of efforts to prevent measles.

Leausa said parents must ensure children are vaccinated as children are the most vulnerable to measles.

A measles epidemic has been declared in Samoa.

The family held a double burial on Saturday for the siblings, who first went to Apia's hospital for a measles check eight days ago, the Samoa Observer reports.

The one-year-old has a twin, who is now the sole remaining child of a couple from Lauli'i - a coastal village outside Apia on the island of Upolo.

Last week, the Health Ministry's Public Health specialist said the two-year-old boy's clinical file was being reviewed to assess his cause of death but it was thought to be related to the measles virus.

Trevor Matheson said New Zealand had been forthcoming with assistance since the outbreak began.

Dr Matheson said equipment and medicines had been flown in over the last few weeks, while an offer of New Zealand medical personnel remained.

However, he said links between the measles epidemics in Samoa and Auckland needed to be assessed.

Chief Executive Officer of Education, Afamasaga Dr Karoline Afamasaga Fuata’ii said the events include school prize giving, graduation and school camps.

The Ministry of Health said to prevent the virus spreading further, all primary schools would close on 15 November, and secondary schools at the end of the month.

Health authorities have confirmed 48 cases of measles.

There are four deaths suspected to be related to measles.

Authorities are reporting 513 suspected cases of the highly contagious infectious disease that is caused by the measles virus.

According to the Ministry of Health, there are 48 confirmed cases as of 4 November, 2019.

There were seven confirmed cases when the epidemic was declared on 16 October, 2019.

According to the Ministry, there are 513 suspected cases of measles.

The ministry is awaiting la confirmation of three measles-related mortality involving a 14-month-old, an 8-month-old and a 37-year-old.

More than half of the 513 suspected cases are children under the age of 5-years of age.

A total of 51 suspected cases are aged between 5-14 years.

All primary schools are scheduled to close on 15 November and the senior schools and colleges at the end of the month.

Director General of Health Leausa Samati Dr Take Naseri said the ministry reinforces the immediate closure of all pre-schools and children day care facilities to prevent the spread of measles among infants and young children.

All schools have also been advised to avoid end of year prize giving and graduation to restrict mass gatherings and going to public places.

Samoa declared a measles epidemic earl last month.

Taupou Tauvela, 28, was breastfeeding her 17-month baby Neoalina on an outside bench seat as she waited for her husband to seek treatment beyond the hospital's doors, along with a couple of dozen others in the shade of old hospital buildings.

A guard at a desk monitors the door questioning all who approach.

Not allowed in due to infection control of measles, she sat on the wooden bench with two members of another family, aged four and seven, also waiting while their mother visited a sick relative on the wards.

Two young children and a 37-year-old man recently died in Samoa, after clinical signs indicated they had measles.

Samoa's government declared a measles epidemic in mid-October.

Now, new global research shows the virus is even more dangerous than first realised because it destroys immunity to other diseases.

The findings from studies by Britain's Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in the US, help to explain why children often catch other infectious diseases after having measles.