Air medical help on call for Samoa measles outbreak
An outbreak of measles in Samoa has so far killed 62 people, prompting a drive to vaccinate swathes of the population; families are flying red flags outside their homes to request medical assistance, with teams going door to door to administer vaccinations.
Fifty-four of those who have died have been aged four or younger. Samoan authorities believe that the virus was brought to the island by a traveller from New Zealand.
In response to the emergency, 75 healthcare workers, including nurses and doctors, have been assembled by Hawaiian Lt Governor Josh Green to help with the vaccination drive. Hawaiian Airlines, the Queen’s Medical Center, Hawaii Emergency Management and Air Med International / Hawaii Life Flight are sending medical supplies and personnel to treat patients; Air Med has also offered its long-range air ambulance, based on Oahu, to bring patients to Hawaii if needed.
Dr James Ireland, who works with Hawaii Life Flight, said: “It’s a humanitarian crisis. Five kids a dying a day. I don’t think anybody wants to stand by and let that continue to happen.”
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