The Silicon Review ^Asia

The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier in October warned about the devastating comeback in measles epidemics around the world as there was an increase in the number of cases by 300 percent in the first three months of this year. Now Samoa, a place which is located between Hawaii and New Zealand has declared an emergency as there is an outbreak of measles. The government there has mandated that all 200,000 people living on island get vaccinated.

Measles is a viral infection that starts in the respiratory system. It still remains a significant cause of death worldwide, despite the availability of a safe, effective vaccine. Measles is caused by infection with a virus from the paramyxovirus family.

The death toll from a measles outbreak in Samoa has risen to 53. The local authorities have set up an effort to vaccinate the entire population against the deadly disease. The death rate has seen a rise, especially most deaths were observed in children under the age of four, including babies who were less than 12 months old.

Schools and universities have been closed and most public gatherings banned as measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily through coughing and sneezing. The government of Samoa is taking the required precautions to prevent the spread of the disease and has asked the people there to get vaccinated as early as possible.