Page 27 - IB November 2019

Health Health

“Children are the most at risk during a measles outbreak. UNICEF is working the outbreak significantly impacted their economy. FSM’s economic burden from
together with WHO to support governments in the Pacific to respond to those com- the outbreak is approximately equivalent to their entire 2016 Fiscal Year budget
munities affected and to ensure vaccines are readily available to reach children with dedicated to education.”
lifesaving vaccines as quickly as possible,” said Sheldon Yett of UNICEF. Samoa’s tourism industry says that while it is “business as usual” going into the
UNICEF has supported the delivery of a total of 110,500 doses of measles holiday high season, precautionary measures are being taken. “We’ve prompted our
containing vaccines and 30, 000 Vitamin A tablets. In addition, six units of ice-lined Tourism Sector in taking heed of public health advices for the sake of the guests and
refrigerators (ILR) and three emergency response trolleys used as immunisation staff, by enforcing hygienic practices, using face masks, avoiding overcrowded public
service stations are being shipped to Samoa to support with the targeted vaccinations gatherings, and making sure all are immunised and kept well informed,” said Samoan
of those most at risk. Tourism Authority CEO, Faamatuainu Lenata’i Suifua.
UNICEF is working with the World Health Organisation and the governments But for now, the focus remains on stopping the spread of measles and mourning
of Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Niue, Marshall Islands and the its victims.
Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in conducting their measles immunisation As Samoa’s Director General of Health, Dr Take Naseri told Savali newspaper:
campaigns and developing their preparedness plans for an outbreak. “In Samoa one death is an epidemic and we are doing everything possible to
Other Pacific nations are already acting. All visitors to American Samoa through contain the measles epidemic to minimise any further loss of life.”
Samoa or Tonga must provide proof of MMR immunisation, as a condition of entry
states Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga. The territory has low immunisation rates.
Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health and its partners are strongly encouraging all parents
to make sure their children are vaccinated, and urges people leaving the country to
immunise themselves to prevent the risks of returning with measles.
Similarly, Solomon Islands health officials are now conducting a mass immuni-
sation campaign of children under six years, increased surveillance for the disease at
ports and airports, and is providing information for travellers entering and leaving
the country.
The measles outbreak comes as the Global Health Security Index ranks Pacific
island nations very poorly in terms of preparedness for pandemics or epidemics. Of
the countries assessed, the Marshall Islands is the lowest ranked at 191 of 195. The
Federated States of Micronesia is the highest ranked Pacific island jurisdiction, but
still has a poor showing at 124 of 195. Samoa stands at 162, Fiji is at 168th position
and Tonga is just behind at 171.
The report is generated by the Johns Hopkins Centre for Health Security and
recommends improved biosecurity and border controls and aid funding amongst
other remedies across the region.
Historically, measles has been devastating for Pacific island countries. In 1875 Fiji
had to bury a third of its population due to the measles epidemic according to histor-
ical accounts. Hawaii, Tonga, Samoa and Rotuma all suffered major lethal epidemics
when measles was first introduced into these islands.
While New Zealand is helping to combat the epidemic in Samoa by provid-
ing medical supplies and personnel, Dr Petousis-Harris said given New Zealand’s
responsibility for the 1918 flu epidemic reaching and devastating Samoa, it should
have done more.
“I feel deeply ashamed and incredibly angry that this has happened because it was
absolutely predictable,” Dr Petousis-Harris told Radio New Zealand.
The economic cost of the epidemic to Pacific island countries is yet to be calcu-
lated. However, a joint study by the US Centre for Disease Control and the FSM
government into a 2014 measles outbreak in FSM put the total cost of containment,
emergency vaccinations and education at almost US$4 million, “or approximately
$10,000 per case.”
The authors of that report, led by Jamison Pike from the USCDC wrote: “While
FSM was heavily assisted by the US in responding to the 2014 Measles Outbreak,

Fiji’s President Jioji Konrote is vaccinated for measles
Photo: Fiji Government
Islands Business, November 2019 27