Following a request for assistance from the World Health Organisation, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been
activated to tackle the serious measles outbreak in Samoa. Through this mechanism, two emergency medical teams from
France and Norway are already in the capital city of Apia providing much needed medical assistance.
“With so many affected by the serious measles outbreak in Samoa, we have sent teams to support local medical staff in
their response. Our thoughts are with all those affected and with the Samoan authorities and emergency medical teams
that are managing the outbreak,” said Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management.
On 30 November, France deployed an emergency medical team made up of 10 paediatricians and specialised nurses from
French Polynesia. While on 1 December, Norway deployed a 20-person emergency medical team that is part of the European
Civil Protection Pool and includes 16 medical and 4 support staff.
The European medical teams are supporting the Ministry of Health and local clinical staff on wards and specialist units
under the coordination of the World Health Organisation.
The European Union's 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre is in close contact with the authorities of Samoa and
Member States to monitor the situation.
Background
Samoa faces a large measles outbreak, particularly affecting the very young, many of whom have not been vaccinated. As
of 1 December, there are 3,728 cases of measles and 62 confirmed deaths of which 58 are children. The number of patients
is still increasing.
A mass vaccination campaign was put into place on 20 November 2019 and more than 58,150 people have been vaccinated so
far.
Even with the provision of general medical care, there has been a high proportion of patients, particularly children and
infants, suffering measles complications such as pneumonia. Many of them are in need of high dependency and intensive
care treatment including ventilation machines. The Government has closed schools and put in place travel restrictions
ahead of the holiday season in efforts to control the outbreak.
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