Samoa measles death toll rises to 16 [1]
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - 18:39
Tragedy in Samoa continues as its Government yesterday confirmed the deaths of 16 people from the deadly disease, mostly young children. Samoa's Disease Survellience Team confirmed 1174 cases of measles and that 92% of these cases were children under the age 5.
The impact of the disease is being blamed on Samoa’s low vaccination coverage. Before the outbreak, Samoa’s vaccination coverage was reportedly 68% compared to Tonga’s which was 99%. Some reports allege that measles vaccinations covered less than half of Samoa's population.
Local media reported one family losing three children in the space of two weeks, and that the latest death was a 7-month-old child.
Five Vaccination clinics have been opened in the country to insist on mandatory vaccinations ordered by the Samoan Government on Saturday, 16 November.
In Tonga, 251 cases of measles have been reported so far by the Ministry of Health with no fatalities.
The Samoan Government declared a state of emergency on Saturday, which ordered mandatory vaccinations and banned people under the age of 17 from joining public gatherings.