24 Children Dead in Measles Outbreak in U.S. Territory of Samoa
On November 25, Samoa’s Director General of Health Leausa Take Naseri said at least 2,200 people had been infected with the measles virus since the outbreak began last month.
More than 140 new cases were reported the last 24 hours. There are 20 critically-ill children who are hospitalized in intensive care units.
Nine days ago, Samoa declared a state of emergency due to the measles outbreak. All schools were closed. Children were banned from public gatherings.
Government officials mandated that everyone in the country get vaccinated against the measles virus, with teams of people traveling the country to administer vaccines.
Last year, measles immunization rates for Samoan infants dropped from 70% to just 30% after the government halted its immunization program for several months in response to a medical mistake that killed 2 infants.
Source: Samoa measles epidemic worsens with 24 children now dead
