American Samoa does not have any measles cases but with close to 20 cases of measles reported from Samoa the Department of Health is reaching out to health authorities in Apia to determine what precautionary measures the territory should take.
On White Sunday a 1 year old child believed to have measles died at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital.
Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua said the reported cases of measles in Samoa is of concern and they are contacting their counterparts in Samoa to find out just how serious the situation is.
Late this morning Samoa confirmed a measles epidemic.
The confirmation was issued by the Ministry of Health after seven cases of measles were confirmed from test results in Melbourne, Australia on specimens sent there.
MOH said two adults and five children had been confirmed to have measles and all have been “treated and discharged with no complications”.
Four were from a batch of specimens sent for testing on September 30 and a further three have also tested positive from a batch sent to Melbourne on October 2nd.
Meanwhile the death of a baby last week has almost certainly been confirmed as a result of measles.
“The tragic case last week which resulted in the loss of life is a highly suspected case of measles, based on clinical assessment and evaluation”, said MOH.
The ministry says they are currently awaiting laboratory confirmation.
“The deceased child of one year two months was admitted on the 8th October with a history of febrile convulsions, cough and skin rash typical of measles associated with severe dehydration.”
MOH added that verification of immunization status for the child revealed that he had not been vaccinated against measles.
The Ministry of Health advises and encourages the public to get vaccinated against measles.
“The public is hereby reminded that it is important to take preventative measures to control the spread of measles,” said MOH.
The confirmations of The measles epidemic in Samoa came after KHJ News interviewed American Samoa Health Director Motusa.
He said as of ow there has not been any official information from Samoa’s Health Ministry concerning the measles outbreak but they are monitoring reports from Samoa.
Motusa said it’s likely that they will institute a border surveillance so that they can monitor any suspected measles cases from Samoa.
They will also work with the World Health Organization on protective measures.
Measles is a highly contagious illness prevalent in children.
Symptoms include a fever, cough, red watery eyes, runny nose and a rash.
