Samoa's measles outbreak: 'Worst to come'
Quoting Radio New Zealand – 15 November 2019
“The worst is still to come in Samoa's measles epidemic, according to the country's top health official.
“There have now been six confirmed deaths and more than 700 suspected measles cases, with 15 people in intensive care.
“Samoa's Director General of Health, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, said low immunisation coverage had left around a third of the population at risk.
“Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, he suggested more deaths would likely follow.
"The way it is going now and the poor coverage, we are anticipating the worst to come."
“Meanwhile, New Zealand is sending vaccines and nurses to Samoa to help the country tackle its worsening measles outbreak.
“Foreign Minister Winston Peters said that at the request of the Samoan government, New Zealand would provide 3000 measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines and 12 nurses to help contain the "serious and growing" outbreak.
“The outbreak in the Pacific is also sweeping Tonga, Fiji, and American Samoa, which yesterday declared a public health emergency requiring all visitors coming from Samoa or Tonga to provide proof of MMR immunisation”
Copyright @ 2019, Radio New Zealand
