The Mr. Samoa Bodybuilding Championship has been postponed from the end of the month to early next year because of the measles epidemic.

The competition, which had been scheduled for the 30th of November, has been moved to the 31st of January 2020.

Last year’s event drew a large crowd and over 40 competitors from Samoa and overseas.

The Bodybuilding Federation of Samoa said the decision is in response to the measles epidemic, and health and safety must always come first.

“Because mass gatherings create environments conducive for infectious disease transmission, postponing our event is therefore the responsible course of action at this time,” the Federation announced on Facebook.

By orders issued under the Government's state of emergency declaration on Saturday, children under 17 are not permitted to attend public gatherings such as the Mr Samoa Championship.

All schools have been closed under the orders, with compulsory vaccinations also to be enforced along with a one family member caregiver limit on all hospitalised patients and a ban on children not requiring medical attention from any medical facility.

To date there are 716 suspected cases of measles in Samoa with 48 confirmed. 

The Samoan Ministry of Health has announced six measles-related deaths so far, with all but one of the victims under the age of two. 

Forty percent of cases have required hospitalisation, and the Intensive Care Unit is currently operating above capacity.