SUVA, Dec 22 (NNN-SPIN) – The Samoan government said today (Sunday) that, 79 people have died of measles, since the epidemic broke out in the South Pacific island nation in mid-Oct.
Some 5,520 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak began, with 26 recorded in the last 24 hours, the government said, in a statement on Facebook.
So far, 83 people have been hospitalised for treatment.
As of Saturday, 94 percent of the population have been vaccinated against measles, the government said. The country has a population of less than 200,000.
Samoa extended its state of emergency, declared last month, to Dec 29, placing additional restrictions on public gatherings and inter-island travels.
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.– NNN-SPIN
