Death toll of measles climbs to 48 in Samoa
Xinhua
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File photo: AP

SUVA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Samoa's Ministry of Health confirmed four more deaths in the country's measles epidemic on Sunday, bringing the death toll to 48 since the measles outbreak in Mid-October.

According to a government statement on Sunday, of the 48 deaths, most are children under the age of four with four fatalities recorded in the last 24 hours.

The ministry said that a total of 3,530 measles cases have been recorded to the Disease Surveillance Team so far, with 173 cases reported in the last 24 hours.

A total of 191 people are now hospitalized with measles.

Currently, Samoa is in a state of emergency, with all schools closed, a mass vaccination campaign underway and public gatherings in the nation restricted.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. Death may occur in up to 5-10 percent of infected young children in developing countries.