Add us as your preferred source on Google to see more of our content in Search.
Add to Preferred SourcesUK medics will help save lives in Samoa where a fatal outbreak of measles is affecting thousands of people.
The group of 13 British doctors and nurses left the UK for the Pacific island to help children who are suffering.
Over 2,900 people in Samoa have so far been infected, and 39 people, including 35 children under four have died. A further 250 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours. Measles is a highly contagious virus that can spread to others through coughing and sneezing.
The UK medics will focus on helping patients recover from these complications.
Over the past few years, childhood immunisation rates including measles has dropped significantly in Samoa, making the country highly vulnerable to outbreaks. The majority of measles cases diagnosed in Samoa have been children and 90% of all deaths so far are of children under the age of five.
“This deadly measles outbreak is having a devastating impact on the people of Samoa, particularly children, who urgently need our help. The UK is stepping up to do all we can to prevent the further loss of life,” said International Development Secretary Alok Sharma.
DFID supports various organisations that work to strengthen global health including the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and Gavi, an international vaccine alliance, who are hosting a replenishment summit in the UK next year.
Original source: DFID
Published on 29 November 2019