Pacific / Samoa

Three prisoners in Samoa contract measles

09:35 am on 27 November 2019

Three prisoners in Samoa's Tanumalala Prison have contracted measles.

The cases were confirmed by the Director General of Health, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, the Samoa Observer reports.

Tanumalala high security prison. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tipi Autagavaia

A lawyer reportedly told the the Supreme Court this week he was unable visit his client at the prison because of restrictions stemming from the measles outbreak.

The Observer was unable to reach the prisons minister for comment.

On Monday, a judge reportedly issued an order restricting the public from entering the courts.

Proceedings continued with journalists able to enter court rooms but members of the public were turned away by police.

Samoa's measles epidemic has claimed the lives of at least 32 people so far.

All but four of the deaths are children under the age of four.

Authorities have vaccinated 24,000 people in a week as it races to provide cover to the entire population.