Transcript
Samoa's Health ministry says there are 15 confirmed cases, 314 suspected, and 146 laboratory results pending.
There have been three deaths suspected to be from measles - an eight-month-old, a 14-month-old, and a 37-year-old - all suspected, but they're conducting further tests.
Most of the cases are children under four. The number of cases of measles has tripled since the last measles update was issued late last week.
JT: What's being done?
DG: An epidemic was declared in Samoa at the start of the month. Since then, vaccination centres have been set up and people are being urged to get their shots. But yesterday, the extraordinary step was taken to close all preschools and daycare centres until further notice while the government grapples with the epidemic, and in an effort to protect the most vulnerable age group.
JT:This has other pacific countries worried?
DG: Tonga has also declared an epidemic, with 68 confirmed cases. American Samoa brought in border controls.
JT: Where did the Samoa and Tonga epidemics come from?
DG: New Zealand. The Samoa cases are thought to have stemmed from someone who travelled from Auckland, while the Tonga cases came back with a rugby team who were playing in Auckland, where there's currently a large outbreak. Tonga has a large herd immunity, though, which authorities were confident would reign it in there.
But the immunity in Samoa was thought to be as low as 31 percent, fueled by the events of last year when the vaccination programme was suspended for months after two babies died from what turned out to be medical negligence.
Other countries are on alert too. Neighbouring American Samoa has placed surveillance teams at airports and docks, and has stepped up monitoring. Fiji has made vaccinations free and has warned people about travelling to Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand. A big vaccination campaign has also launched in Solomon Islands.
The New Zealand government has been criticised from some areas for allowing the virus to be exported. The deputy director general of public health there, Robert Thomsen, has said if the New Zealand outbreak isn't brought under control, then that'll prolong the outbreak in Samoa.
The New Zealand government has said it's ready to help, and has been offering advice and assistance.
