Measles death toll is 71 but new cases still slowing

By Sapeer Mayron 11 December 2019, 2:00PM

There has been another measles-related death in the last day and 83 new cases of measles, the Government reports. 

It brings the total to 71 deaths and 4,898 cases, with 169 people currently in hospital. 133 are in Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital and 15 are in Leulumoega, with 22 across the other district hospitals.

There are 20 critically ill children in intensive care and three pregnant women with measles.

While a brief respite came on Tuesday evening reporting no new deaths in the past day, the measles epidemic is far from over.

President of the General Practitioners Association of Samoa Le Mamea Dr. Limbo Fiu told the Samoa Observer on Monday: “we are not out of the woods yet.” 

The National Emergency Operations Centre (N.E.O.C.) has not issued the number of people affected by age group as previously made. An enquiry has been sent asking for the numbers.

According to the N.E.O.C. around 91 per cent of people who are able to be vaccinated have been. But final numbers are still being analysed and collated.

So far, 1541 people have needed hospitalisation due to measles or the complications it causes. 

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Health
By Sapeer Mayron 11 December 2019, 2:00PM

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