There is a need for Western Pacific countries to maintain high coverage of measles vaccination and to increase surveillance of cases at international borders, the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala urged, citing a 255% increase of measles cases from 2022 to 2023 in Western Pacific countries. Measles is one of the most infectious diseases on earth, spreading easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.
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Results for measles outbreak
Monday 4 March 2024
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Manila, Philippines
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Monday 3 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
New measles cases are continuing to drop with only five new cases reported on Tongatapu between 23 and 29 January while the outer islands reported none.
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Friday 3 January 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A low number of 16 new measles cases occurred in the last week, according to a Tonga situation report issued on 2 January 2020. This brings the total number of confirmed or suspected measles cases to 612 since the outbreak began in October 2019 with around 96% estimated to have recovered.
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Monday 9 December 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Ministry of Health said 440 people had been confirmed or suspected to have contracted measles in the current outbreak, from October 1 to December 2 in Tonga. However, it is estimated that at least 70% have already recovered.
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Friday 29 November 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Ministry of Health has confirmed 394 people have been confirmed or suspected to have contracted measles as at November 26 in Tonga. Vaccinations are continuing.
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Tuesday 26 November 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s high MR vaccination rate of 99 percent has so far saved Tongans from rising measles related fatalities that neighbouring Samoa is experiencing, as health professionals continue to fight the epidemic. By Eleanor Gee.
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Wednesday 20 November 2019
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Suva, Fiji
UNICEF is supporting the Government of Samoa to respond to a measles outbreak in the country. The Government of Samoa officially declared a state of emergency on 15 November 2019, four weeks into the continuing measles outbreak with more than 1000 suspected cases so far. The epidemic has claimed the lives of 14 children under-five years old and one adult. Lesser outbreaks are reported in Tonga and Fiji.
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