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Measles Cases in Samoa More Than Double Over Past Week as Death Toll Rises

posted by martyb on Tuesday December 03 2019, @01:55AM   Printer-friendly
from the who-spotted-it? dept.

upstart writes in with a submission, via IRC for Runaway1956.

Measles cases in Samoa more than double over past week as death toll rises - National

The number of suspected cases of measles on the Pacific island of Samoa has more than doubled over the past week to 3,530 and deaths related to the outbreak rose to 48 from 20 a week ago, the country’s Ministry of Health said on Sunday.

Samoa has become vulnerable to measles outbreaks as the number of people becoming immunized has declined with the World Health Organisation (WHO) saying vaccine coverage is just about 31 per cent.

[...] The government started a mandatory vaccination program on Nov. 20 after declaring a state of emergency due to the outbreak. The health ministry said in its statement that 57,132 people have since been vaccinated.

Schools and universities have been closed and most public gatherings banned on the island state of just 200,000, located south of the equator and half way between Hawaii and New Zealand.

Of the 48 deaths, 44 where among children under the age of four. Since Saturday, there have been 173 new cases of measles recorded and four people have died.

Neighboring New Zealand and a number of other countries and organizations, including the U.N. agency UNICEF, have delivered thousands of vaccines, medical supplies and have sent medical personnel to help with the outbreak.

Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 4, Touché) by Mykl on Tuesday December 03 2019, @04:21AM (2 children)

    by Mykl (1112) on Tuesday December 03 2019, @04:21AM (#927538)

    Kids dying of heat stress from being locked in cars is also a seasonal phenomenon. That doesn't mean that we can't take steps to reduce the number during the 'peak season'.

    Your comment was so dumb it hurt. What you are effectively saying is that we should do nothing about seasonal health-affecting issues and just accept them as-is. Do not send to know for whom the retard bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

    Starting Score:    1  point
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       Insightful=1, Touché=1, Total=2
    Extra 'Touché' Modifier   0  
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    Total Score:   4  

  • (Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 03 2019, @08:48AM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 03 2019, @08:48AM (#927583)

    Yes, "take measures" to "mix the races". But you arent nazi.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 03 2019, @10:41PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 03 2019, @10:41PM (#927872)

      HiThere was the one that mentioned 'race mixing', not Mykl. At least vent your outrage at the right poster.