By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

In an update on the measles epidemic in Samoa, health officials reported an additional 198 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the outbreak total to 3,728 measles cases since early September.

Image/Government of Samoa

In addition, during the same 24 hours, tragically five more measles related deaths have been reported, bringing the total to 53. 48 deaths have been reported in children 4 years and younger.

Paul has Measles

In addition to the medical assistance from New Zealand, Australia and other countries, Friday, Japan decided  to dispatch an Infectious Diseases Response Team of the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) composed of doctors, nurses, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to the Independent State of Samoa 2019 in response to the Measles outbreak in the country. The team will depart Japan on 2nd December.

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The team will give assistance to provide clinical care to patients (mainly children) suffering from measles outbreaks by cooperating with the Government of the Independent State of Samoa, relevant countries, and International Organizations.