This morning a team of 13 UK-Med doctors and nurses set off to Samoa to respond to a significant ongoing measles outbreak. The response is funded by UK aid and is part of the UK Emergency Medical Team (UK EMT) programme. The team is due to arrive and start clinical work on Monday (2 December) and will work in Samoa for 14 days. A specialist physiotherapist, trained by Humanity & Inclusion, will join the team next week.
The situation in Samoa
Over 2,900 people in Samoa have contracted measles during this outbreak. 39 people, including 35 children under four, have died. A further 250 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours.
The team will work alongside and as part of the response from the Australian Medical Assistance Team, who have been responding for the past two weeks. The WHO has requested additional support from Emergency Medical Teams around the world.
Members of this specialised team were selected based on their expertise in paediatrics, infectious disease and critical care. At this point there are no plans for any additional teams as part of this response, however needs are being continually assessed.
We’ll be sharing updates from the team via email, our social media channels and website – thank you for your interest and support.
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