Measles crisis death toll reaches 60

By Sapeer Mayron 04 December 2019, 12:05PM

The death toll from the measles crisis has hit 60.

The latest update released by the Government confirmed five more people died during the past 24 hours.

The new death toll has taken another under six months old, another one to four year old, and another teenager.

For the first time, two adults have died in 24 hours, the first between 20 and 29 years, and another 30 to 39 year old, joining the 37-year-old who died in the first weeks of the epidemic.

There remain 177 people in hospital being treated for measles, and another tent paediatric unit is being built in front of Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital to contend with the overflow. 

There are 20 critically ill children in the intensive care units, three sick pregnant women and two newborns being treated.

The vaccine campaign appears to have made major headway over night with another 11 per cent of infants and children getting vaccinated, and another 31 per cent of the remaining population (all people aged 20 and over). 

The following is the update in full: 

UPDATE ON THE MEASLES OUTBREAK

 

The Ministry of Health confirms a total of 4,052 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started.  There were 171 recorded in the last 24 hours.  

 

There are currently 177 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities.  Of this, 142 are at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH), 4 at Poutasi District Hospital, 1 at Lalomanu DH, 22 at the Leulumoega Rural District Hospital, 6 at the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital (MTIIH) 1 at Foailalo DH and 1 at Safotu District Hospital.  Admissions include 20 critically ill children in ICU/HDU and 3 pregnant women and postnatal at TTMH.

 

The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 1,246.  Of that, 1,009 (81%) patients have been discharged. Recovery rate has remained constant since the last update.

 

To date, 60 measles related deaths have been recorded, with 5 fatalities in the last 24 hours.

 

A breakdown of the statistics is as follows:

 

Age group

Measles cases last 24 hours

Total measles cases

Total measles-related deaths

0-5 months

19

289

9

6-11 months

18

491

16

01-4 years

53

1289

27

05-9 years

24

396

1

10-14 years

5

128

1

15-19 years

17

410

3

20-29 years

22

624

1

30-39 years

7

252

2

40-49 years

5

110

0

50+ years

0

16

0

missing age

1

47

0

Total

171

4052

60

* Table subject to update as new data becomes available

 VACCINATION UPDATE:

As of December 3rd, 2019, the estimated vaccination coverage in both Upolu and Savai’i are:

  1. 73% of infants and children aged 6 months to 4 years old
  2. 86% of children aged 5 to 19 years old
  3. 79% of women aged 20 to 35 years old
  4. 50% of the remaining population in Samoa

 NEOC continues to be the focal point providing collaboration and operational coordination amongst all stakeholders, with advice and technical guidance from MOH for the duration of the Emergency Period.

 Please direct all enquiries to the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) on telephone number 997, and 911 for Emergencies.  

Tags

Health
By Sapeer Mayron 04 December 2019, 12:05PM
Samoa Observer

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