The Minister for Health has praised NSW Health staff deployed to help Australian and New Zealand medical teams combat a deadly measles outbreak in Samoa.
The Minister, Brad Hazzard said that with infections rising, Samoa had declared a state of emergency.
“Sixteen children have died and up to 300 others are infected,” Mr Hazzard said.
“This is a tragic situation facing the people of Samoa, and I am very pleased NSW Health can offer our Pacific neighbours urgent medical help,” he said.
“I want to personally thank the dedicated team of doctors and nurses who are going to Samoa to join the Commonwealth response team to help with vaccinations and treating those infected.”
Mr Hazzard said the current deployment of NSW Health staff was expected to be in Samoa for at least a fortnight.
“Ministry of Health Epidemiologist, Dr Sean Tobin is working on the ground with Paediatric Intensive care Nurses, Dominic Sertori, from Sydney Children’s Hospital Westmead, and Lynette Hagarty, an Aeromedical Flight Nurse from NSW Ambulance,” he said.
“Given the risk of measles being imported, travellers should ensure they are vaccinated.”
Mr Hazzard said the current outbreak was believed to have started in New Zealand, with Tonga and Fiji also affected.
