Measles epidemic brings death toll in Samoa to 73

Another person has died from measles in Samoa, taking the death toll from the outbreak to 73.

To date, 5267 measles cases have been reported since the outbreak with 57 recorded in the last 24 hours.

There are currently 139 people hospitalised with measles.

Latest update: 5,267 measles cases have been reported since the outbreak with 57 recorded in the last 24 hours.

To date, 73 measles related deaths have been recorded.

VACCINATION UPDATE: As of 15 Dec, 93% of population have been vaccinated.

— Government of Samoa (@samoagovt) December 16, 2019

As of yesterday, 93% of the population has been vaccinated.

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

Samoa's Parliament will meet tomorrow to decide how to use $US22.4 million of overseas assistance given towards the country's efforts to fight the measles epidemic.

[Source: Radio NZ]