Measles epidemic brings death toll in Samoa to 70 in the past 24 hours

The death toll from Samoa's measles epidemic has reached 70, with two deaths recorded in the past 24 hours.

It's the 13th day the death toll has risen, and children make up almost all of the dead.

Radio NZ reports Samoa's government said on Sunday it had vaccinated around 90 percent of the population.

Still, in the past 24 hours, there were another 112 recorded measles' cases, bringing the total to nearly 4700.

Meanwhile, 159 people remain in hospital, including 16 critically ill children.

The measles vaccine can take about two weeks to provide immunity to the disease.

The government ordered a shutdown of the nation on Thursday and Friday to try to cope with the epidemic.

[Source: Radio NZ]