APIA,02 DECEMBER 2019 (SAMOA GOVT/FSMPIO) — Samoa’s Ministry of Health has confirmed a total of 3,728 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started.
There were 198 recorded in the last 24 hours.
To date, 53 measles related deaths have been recorded, with five fatalities in the last 24 hours.
There are currently 183 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities. Of this, 155 are at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH), 4 at Poutasi District Hospital, 1 at Lalomanu District Hospital, 18 at the Leulumoega Rural District Hospital, 3 at the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital (MTIIH), 1 at Sataua District Hospital and 1 at Safotu District Hospital. Admissions include 19 critically ill children in ICU/HDU and 2 pregnant women and 1 postnatal at TTMH.
The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 1,129. Of that, 893 (79%) patients have been discharged.
Meanwhile, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has committed US$100,000 humanitarian aid to Samoa to help the Pacific nation fight against the measles outbreak.
The assistance was announced by President David W. Panuelo after the FSM Congress authorised the humanitarian relief to Samoa on 30 November.
The purpose of the relief is to assist Samoa in light of the recent Measles outbreak. Measles is a highly infectious and deadly disease that has a propensity towards affecting society’s most vulnerable citizens (i.e. young children and the elderly).
President Panuelo in a 02 December letter to Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said:
“I want you to know that the people and Government of the [FSM] express our utmost condolences and sympathies for the recent fatalities stemming from this Measles outbreak. We stand with you in solidarity. It is important for Members of the Pacific Islands Forum to be one together.”
The FSM and Samoa share, in addition to a profound friendship as fellow islanders, blood-ties through historical connections and contemporaneous marriages. “Hearing about children dying just absolutely breaks my heart,” President Panuelo said… (PACNEWS)