News

Measles epidemic sweeping Samoa brings death toll to 80

Measles epidemic sweeping Samoa brings death toll to 80
[Photo:RNZ]

An 80th person is confirmed to have died in the last 24 hours in the measles epidemic sweeping Samoa.

According to the Samoan government's emergency operation centre, there have been 5600 cases reported since the outbreak in the island nation, which has a population under 200,000.

Radio NZ reports the latest person to lose their life was 43 years old.

Twenty-three new cases of measles have been recorded in the past 24 hours, and nine people are still considered to be critically ill in hospital, eight of them children.

As of Christmas Eve, some 95% of Samoa's eligible population have been vaccinated against measles.

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
Scoreboard
9:50PM
Broncos vs Storm
8:00PM
Sea Eagles vs Dragons
10:00PM
Panthers vs Bulldogs
Malolo vs Ba
Kadavu vs Lautoka
Nadroga vs Navosa
Full Time
Nadi 24–24 Tailevu
Full Time
Suva 36–10 Naitasiri
Full Time
kadavu 17–29 Namosi
1:00PM
Suva FC vs Navua FC
3:00PM
Labasa FC vs Nasinu FC
5:00PM
Rewa FC vs Lautoka FC
Full Time
Springboks 16–33 All Blacks
Full Time
Lions 35–41 All Blacks
7:00AM
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
11:30PM
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
2:00AM
Bournemouth vs Everton