Tu'ivale Luamanuvae beside the graves of his three children who died of measles. (Photo: RNZ Pacific /Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia)

Samoa continues to battle measles outbreak as death toll increases

Author: Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2019, 5:27PM

Health experts are predicting the death toll in Samoa's escalating measles epidemic will reach 70.

As of Friday afternoon, more than 3,100 people in the island nation were infected with the disease, and 42 had died.

The death toll figure was calculated by Auckland University scientists, based on the number of reported cases and percentage of population currently immunised.

Immunologist Dr Helen Petousis-Harris says it's "absolutely devastating" and highlights how important it is for people to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

She says a distrust in the Samoan health system is partly behind the country's low vaccination rate.

LISTEN TO REPORTER BARBARA DREAVER TALK WITH THE WEEKEND COLLECTIVE ABOVE