The Ministry of Health confirms 2 deaths in the last 24 hours taking the death toll to 44 in an outbreak that seems to be worsening by the day.
Leituala Dr Ben Matalavea says an 8 month old baby passed away at 4pm at the Faleolo Health Clinic which he has been asked to oversee since last week.
“This is the first baby I know who has come in to the Faleolo Clinic in the past 2 weeks and has died,”
“Again, presented so late like most others. That’s the key message now. Present early and don’t wait.”
Dr Matalavea says parents must know that these are unusual times with the outbreak, “If their breathing is too fast, or you notice that they cannot eat and drink normally, and develop a fever, then you must seek medical advice immediately – not the next day”.
Leituala Dr Matalavea showed concern earlier this week with the late presenting of children to the hospital, especially babies under 12 months old.
“Mothers and fathers and families must know what to do. Parents must seek immediate medical advice for babies under 12 months as they are the most vulnerable”.
Leituala says that mothers know best when their babies are not well and warns that late presenting could be the difference between life and death.
RECORDED CASES
In the past 24 hours Report No.14 confirms the number of reported cases jumped from 3,149 to 3,357.
“There were 208 recorded in the last 24 hours.”
Across hospitals in Samoa there are 189 measles in-patients. Of that number, 21 are critically ill children in ICU/HDU and 3 pregnant women at TTMH.
The Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH) has 160 measles patients as of the latest report with 3 at Poutasi, 3 at Lalomanu and 19 at the Leulumoega Rural District Hospital.
In Savaii, there arre 2 at the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital (MTIIH) and 2 at Sataua District Hospital.
The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 957. Of that, 727 patients have been discharged.
DEATHS
To date, 44 measles related deaths have been recorded, with 2 fatalities in the last 24 hours.
A comparison of the two tables below confirms the 2 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours to be a baby under 5 months and a baby under 11 months old.
REPORTED VACCINATION UPDATE:
A total of 32,743 vaccinations were completed before the Mass Vaccination Campaign. Of these, the age groups are outlined below:
6months to 4 years – 4222
5 to 19 years – 14,145
20 to 39 years – 9,283
40-49 years – 3058
50+ – 2035
Since the activation of the Mass Vaccination Campaign on 20 November 2019, the Ministry has successfully vaccinated 54,046 individuals, of that 39,844 were vaccinated in Upolu and 14,202 in Savaii.
“NEOC continues to be the focal point providing collaboration and operational coordination amongst all stakeholders, with advice and technical guidance from MOH for the duration of the Emergency Period.”
The public are advised to please direct all enquiries to the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) on telephone number 997, and 911 for Emergencies.
