Two More Measles Related Deaths in the Past Week

January 7, 2020

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After a week without updates, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that the official death toll count on their records is now at 83.

“There were 2 fatalities (one infant and one adult) between December 29, 2019 and January 5, 2020”, reads the update.

There has been no mention of the dozen or so suspected measles related deaths that had been held at the Motootua hospital morgue to undergo autopsy operations.

The epidemic has subsided with only 30 new cases reported in the past week, however, there are still 4 critically ill children in ICU/HDU.

There latest report also states that there are now only 16 measles related patients currently admitted at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH).

There are currently no travel restrictions or vaccination requirement for those travelling to Samoa and for travllers going the other way, Auatralia, New Zealand and the USA do not require any proof of MMR vaccination.

The only travel restriction for Samoans is that imposed by American Samoa, where travellers must have documented proof of MMR vaccinations, as issued by the Ministry of Health.