This archive report was first published on 2 December 2019.
Published on December 2, 2019, a national state of emergency was declared in Samoa due to a severe measles outbreak.
Since the crisis began in mid-October, there have been 3,728 measles cases, accounting for almost two percent of the population.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi called on the nation to stand together to contain the outbreak, stating that vaccination is the only cure for measles.
"In this time of crisis, and the cruel reality of the measles epidemic, let us reflect on how we can avoid recurrence in the future," Malielegaoi said in a national address.
Malielegaoi also emphasized the importance of vaccination, saying "vaccination is the only cure... no traditional healers or kangen (alkaline) water preparations can cure measles".
The government has announced a shutdown to facilitate a mass vaccination campaign, with all public services and departments closing on Thursday and Friday this week.
Only electricity and water utility workers will be exempt from the shutdown.
