by Kithahna Moe // Staff Writer
American Samoa has recently announced that its government will shut down for two days due to a deadly outbreak of the measles. Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can sometimes lead to serious health complications, including infections of the lungs and brain. Since the outbreak began in October of 2019, there have been 60 deaths and 3,940 infected. Of the 60 deaths, 48 of them were children under the age of 4. The measles have caused all schools in American Samoa to close down due to how deadly and fast the disease is spreading. Samoa declared a state of emergency in November to combat the outbreak and vaccinations are now compulsory.
Washington posts stated, “Vaccination for all Samoans ages 6 months to 60 will be free, the government said, but the top priority is children under age 4 because they are most at risk of deadly complications and also have the lowest vaccination rates.”
Closing schools and sending out mobile clinics have been their way of spreading awareness. Leaders such as prime ministers and chiefs have been photographed taking their shots. If families have not been vaccinated, they’re told to hand red flags on their doors to help medical teams assist them.
The BBC reported, “Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi promised Wednesday to bring vaccination coverage up sharply, from about 55 percent to 90 percent”
Many Pacific Islanders are doing their best to spread the word of this deadly disease. Posting on social media to spread the word and sending money and aid out to Samoa is what many people are doing. Many worry about their family and loved ones across the Pacific Islands.
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