Prime minister closes government offices in effort to fight measles Samoa’s government is to shut down on Thursday and Friday this week so all public sector workers can help with the country’s mass measles vaccination campaign.

SAMOA – Samoa’s Prime Minister has announced a government shutdown in response to the measles epidemic that has claimed the lives of 53 people in the Pacific island nation.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi announced during a press conference that all branches of government, except the nation’s water authority and electric power corporation, would be closed on Thursday and Friday.

The two-day shutdown will see government workers recruited to help carry out a mass vaccination campaign.

The Ministry of Health said 58,000 people had been vaccinated to-date.

“Let us work together to encourage and convince those who do not believe that vaccinations are the only answer to the epidemic,” the prime minister said.

“Measles is not a new disease to Samoa and rarely claim lives. If a suspected case is presented early for treatment, full recovery should be expected.”

Tuilaepa emphasised the importance of parents seeking care from medical professionals when their children displayed symptoms.

“Let us not be distracted by the alternative cures,” he said.

No traditional healers could cure measles, and people should be wary of promises of alternative cures, he said.

Desperate Samoan parents are seeking out alternative therapies to protect their children as the death toll continues to rise.

There have been another five deaths in Samoa’s measles epidemic since yesterday, bringing the toll to 53.

It’s the sixth consecutive day the death toll has risen rapidly, with children under the age of four making up the vast majority of the dead.

“Vaccinations is the only cure, the prime minister said. “And if affected cases are presented early for treatment full recovery should be expected – no traditional healers and Kengen water preparations can cure measles.”

The Ministry of Health said in the past 24 hours, there were another 198 cases of measles recorded, bringing the total to more than 3700. There are 183 people in hospital, including 19 critically ill children.

Two of the latest deaths have been from the list of critically ill children being treated in hospital.

Samoa is racing to immunise its entire population and yesterday authorities expanded the ages of those eligible for vaccinations. They’re now available for those aged between six months and 60 years old.

Previously, the vaccines were being prioritised for everyone between six months and 19 years old, and non-pregnant women up to 35 years old.

Prime Minister Tuialepa has thanked foreign allies for providing medical and logistical support since the epidemic was first declared on October 15.

“We have received medical teams, from, Australia, New Zealand, France, United Kingdom, the Pacific Medical Association, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, China, Norway, Japan, and the UK and USA and more on their way, he said”.

-PNC