Deputy Prime Minister Toelupe Maoiautele Poumulinuku Onesemo has confirmed that the 22 suspected measles cases being monitored at the Moto’otua National Hospital have all tested negative.
The welcomed announcement comes as the Ministry continues to monitor any signs of an outbreak due to reported cases in neighboring countries.
Toelupe said despite negative tests, health officials will continue to monitor the symptoms of those initially suspected with measles.
The Deputy Prime Minister also noted current data showing 73 percent of children aged 12 and 15 months are fully vaccinated, while the remaining 27 percent have either not completed their MMR 1 or MMR 2 doses.
Toelupe said the Government are taking lessons leaent from the 2019/2020 measles outbreak and covid-19 pandemic, and authorities remain on high alert to protect Samoa.
Samoa was severely affected by a measles outbreak at the end of 2019, beginning of 2020, where more than 5,000 people were infected and 83 precious lives, mostly young children, were lost.
This week the Ministry of Health issued a travel advisory for all travellers entering Samoa.
Effective from the 3rd of November, “all travelers from infants aged 12 months and above are strongly advised to get at least one dose of a measles-containing vaccine at least two weeks before, or no later than 14 days prior to arrival into Samoa.”
The advisory is part of Samoa’s swift response to the increasing number of measles cases reported in New Zealand and other neighboring countries.
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