Photo: 123rf.com
Samoa's health minister says Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) representatives from high-risk countries have been advised to get vaccinated against mpox.
More than 3000 delegates are expected in Samoa for the meeting next month, including King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The Samoa Observer reported participants are to fill in a form upon arrival, to confirm the countries they have been to, to make it easier for health screening, and will be questioned on whether they have any symptoms of the virus.
When asked about rapid tests for mpox during CHOGM, Director General of Health, Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma, said: "We don't have rapid tests at the moment and will ask World Health if they can assist us with tests.
"For testing, you need to swab the infection, and this is taken to a laboratory - the closest one that can do this is in Melbourne. We will wait for WHO if we can have those tests in Melbourne to assist but we don't have any rapid tests."
Six cases of the clade II strain - which is generally less severe - have been reported in New Zealand this year.
Meanwhile, health authorities are concerned about the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination rate in Samoa, with 64 per cent of people having had the recommended two doses.
Samoa's Ministry of Health said this means a large number of the population, especially children, are still vulnerable to measles.
Aiono said there was a need to increase two-dose coverage, and they have restarted the Saturday vaccination push to get the rate up, especially in the at-risk districts.
New Zealand medical expert Dr Fiona Mariner-Shepherd said it's not a matter of if, but when a measles outbreak will happen.