Ads by Google Ads by Google

UPDATE AM SAMOA: No new measles cases reported by Saturday

Health Department’s Dr. Saipale Fuimaono,
Unlike, Samoa — to date: is reporting 70 measles related deaths
fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Of the four locally transmitted measles cases, one is a 10-month old infant who was “so sick” but thank God, recovered and was discharged from LBJ Medical Center, said LBJ chief medical officer, Dr. Iotamo Saleapaga during an emergency cabinet meeting Saturday morning at Suigaula o le Atuvasa Park in Utulei.

Department of Health (DOH) announced last Friday afternoon during a live broadcast that American Samoa has a “measles outbreak” after nine-samples sent to Hawaii for testing came back positive.

Of the 9 cases, 5 are “travel associated” — or individuals who most likely were exposed when they traveled outside of the territory; while 4 were “local transmission.” (See separate story in today’s edition.)

At Saturday’s cabinet meeting, DoH’s Dr. Saipale Fuimaono explained that one of the 4 locally transmitted cases was an infant, who has recovered well, as well as other confirmed measles cases. He said DoH continues to conduct follow up with all these cases, including travelers who are placed on 14-day quarantine.

In a statement last Friday, DoH announced that MMR shots are now available for babies 6 months old and older. But MMR shots should NOT be given to babies less than 6 months or women who are pregnant.

At the cabinet meeting, Saleapaga noted that as of Saturday morning there were no new measles related cases admitted to the LBJ emergency room and no patient with measles remains at the hospital — they are all discharged.

He said the last patient discharged, was the 10-month old infant, who contracted measles from the two children that arrived from Samoa on Oct. 31st. (As previously reported by Samoa News, the two children from Samoa were released from LBJ, after they got well.)

“He was so sick,” Saleapaga said of the 10-month old infant who was put on IV and placed in isolation before being transferred to the Pediatric Ward and then finally discharged. He said there was some concern at the time whether the infant was going to make it. “This was the last acute case” of measles, he said. No details were provided for the other patients.

Saleapaga commended DoH and LBJ for working together to quickly respond to the initial measles cases. ”I think we’re doing the right thing and we have to continue doing it,” he said, adding that the media plays an important role in getting the message across to the community, especially parents, for the need to immunize their children. He said he believes there are still children in the community who haven’t gotten their MMR shots.

Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga called on DoH and LBJ to work together to further push the immunization campaign and take it to the community, into the villages. He urged DoH to bring in retired nurse and doctors to help, especially with the current emergency situation.

Health director Motusa Tuileama Nua said DoH has 3 physicians waiting to come on board and there are also nurses to be hired. He said he’ll work with the Dept. of Human Resources on this issue, and it was quickly encouraged by the governor.

Lt. Gov. Lemanu Sialega Palepoi Mauga pointed out that a lot of the information going out to the public during the measles campaign are only in Samoan and English, but there are other nationalities, who have made American Samoa their home. He urged DoH and others involved with the media outreach to bring in members of these communities to explain in their own language, what’s going on so all residents of the territory understand.

The suggestion was supported by Saleapaga and the governor, who told DoH to “make sure” all other nationalities on island are included in the media outreach.

Lolo issued on Nov. 13th a public health emergency declaration — valid for 30-days — after Samoa declared the measles epidemic in the Independent State. At the cabinet meeting, Lolo said he will be extending the emergency health declaration, which will provide further protection for the territory during the measles outbreak. He said a draft is complete and will need a legal review by the AG’s Office — after being checked by DoH and LBJ — before it’s signed and released.

Once the new declaration is signed, it will be forwarded to the US Dept. of Interior along with the update on where American Samoa stands on measles, said Lolo. He explained that the importance of the declaration is, it would force the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to send more help to American Samoa during the measles outbreak.

Saleapaga said it costs between $80-$85 per dose of an immunization shot and he believes the CDC should provide financial support for it.

Cabinet members were informed that the Emergency Operations Center at the local Dept. of Homeland Security is activated — since Saturday — and representatives from each agency should be dispatched to the EOC, which will operate 24/7.

Lolo directed ASG treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipea to work with ASG officials to find $2 million from any available source to fund the measles response efforts once the extended emergency declaration is issued. He said a separate account should be set up for this purpose.

SAMOA

Official numbers from the Samoa National Emergency Operation Center for Dec. 9, 2019 is a confirmation of a total of 4, 693 measles cases reported since the outbreak started, with 112 recorded in the last 24 hours.

The number of measles related deaths has been recorded at 70, with 2 fatalities over the last 24 hours. 1-4 years old category continues to be the most vulnerable, with 33 deaths reported, compared to the 2nd most vulnerable, 6- 11 months with 19.