Measles death toll rises in Samoa

WELLINGTON: The death toll in Samoa has grown to 55 after reports of two more measles-related fatalities yesterday.

Another two children aged under 5 have succumbed to the preventable disease, which has taken root thanks to rockbottom vaccination rates.

Samoan health officials announced yesterday that 3881 people had caught the disease.

The Government, which had already declared a state of emergency, announced plans to redirect public servants away from their regular jobs to assist vaccination efforts.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi urged citizens to turn away from ‘‘alternative’’ medicines to seek immunisation.

‘‘Vaccination is the only cure,’’ he said. ‘‘No traditional healers or Kangen water preparations can cure measles.’’

The Health Ministry reports 58,000 Samoans have been vaccinated since the outbreak was first recorded, about 30% of the population. Two percent of the country has contracted the virus.

Samoa has been flooded with aid and support since the emergence of the outbreak, with Australian and New Zealand medical professionals working to get children vaccinated.

New Zealand has provided dozens of nurses and medical supplies and the air force has ferried 50,000 vaccines provided by Unicef from nearby Fiji.

On Monday, the New Zealand Royal Air Force flew almost three tonnes of additional help including hand sanitiser, chilly bins, fridges and power supplies.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was unable to provide details on support Australia had provided. — AAP