SUVA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Samoan government confirmed on Wednesday that there is another death in Samoa's measles epidemic, bringing the death toll to 33, all but four of the deaths are children under the age of four, including one who died in the past day.
According to a government statement on Wednesday, Samoa's Ministry of Health said that a total of 2,686 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team so far, with 249 cases recorded in the last 24 hours.
There are currently 193 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities.
Samoa, which has a measles outbreak since Mid-October, is now in a state of emergency, with all schools closed, a mass vaccination campaign underway and public gatherings in the nation restricted.
A total of 32,743 vaccinations were completed before the Mass Vaccination Campaign.
Since the activation of the Mass Vaccination Campaign on Nov.20, 2019, the ministry has successfully vaccinated 33,085 individuals in the nation.
In a related development, Samoa Airways said on Wednesday that it is supporting international agencies by providing free freight services and flights for life saving medical equipment and medical personnel coming to the aid of Samoa's emergency.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. Death may occur in up to 5-10 percent of infected young children in developing countries.
