Measles epidemic brings death toll to 79 in Samoa

Another baby has died in Samoa from measles as the epidemic claims its 79th life.

The infant was younger than 12 months.

A further 31 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours which continues a slowing in the number of new cases.

Latest update: 5,494 measles cases have been reported since the outbreak with 31 recorded in the last 24 hours.

To date, 79 measles related deaths have been recorded.

VACCINATION UPDATE: As of 20 Dec, 94% of population have been vaccinated.

— Government of Samoa (@samoagovt) December 20, 2019

The total number of measles infections is 5,494.

There are 93 people in hospital with the virus including 10 critically ill children.

As of 20 December, vaccinations remained at 94 percent of the population. The World Health Organisation recommends a 95 percent immunisation rate to avoid the spread of measles.

Samoa's parliament passed a bill on Wednesday making measles vaccinations mandatory from next year.

[Source:Radio NZ]