UPDATE ON THE MEASLES OUTBREAK
The Ministry of Health confirms 39 measles related deaths have been recorded to date, with 6 fatalities in the last 24 hours.
Of the six newly reported deaths two are between 6 and 11 months and four are aged 1-4 years.
A further 250 cases have been recorded in the past 24 hours indicating the outbreak not yet contained even worsening despite efforts to control the epidemic with now 77,650 people vaccinated.
The Mass Vaccination Campaign has not yet extended to all men over 19 and women over the age of 35. Asked at a media conference yesterday the Director General of Health Leausa Dr Take Naseri said that they may be extending to the older population as late as next week despite the vaccinations clinic being empty each afternoon.
The total of 2,936 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started. There were 250 recorded in the last 24 hours.
The breakdowns show that 20 out of 39 or 51% of deaths are children between 1 and 4. Almost 90% are children under 4 years old with 15 babies under 12 months.
Press Release No.12
There are currently 190 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities. Of this, 156 are at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH), 2 at Poutasi District Hospital, 1 at Lalomanu District Hospital, 24 at the Leulumoega Rural District Hospital, 4 at the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital (MTIIH), 1 at Foailalo District Hospital and 2 at Sataua District Hospital. Admissions include 21 critically ill children in ICU/HDU and 4 pregnant women at TTMH.
The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 849. Of that, 620 patients have been discharged.
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 44,907 individuals, of that 34,456 were vaccinated in Upolu and 10,451 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.
Please direct all enquiries to the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) on telephone number 997, and 911 for Emergencies.
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