UPDATE ON THE SAMOA MEASLES OUTBREAK
The Ministry of Health confirms a cumulative total of 5,697 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started.
Currently the outbreak is declining with 30 new cases reported between December 29, 2019 and January 5, 2020.
As of 8.30am January 5th 2020, there were 16 measles currently admitted at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH) including 4 critically ill children in ICU/HDU.
The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 1,860. Of that, 1,761 (95%) patients have recovered and been discharged.
To date, 83 measles related deaths have been recorded. There were 2 fatalities (one infant and one adult) between December 29, 2019 and January 5, 2020.
There are currently no travel restrictions or vaccination requirement for those travelling to Samoa. Additionally, proof of MMR vaccination is not currently required for Samoans travelling to Australia, New Zealand, or the United States.
Only travelers to American Samoa are required to provide proof of vaccination for MMR.
ONEFOUR - AUCKLAND CITY AFTER MOVIE
Warning: Explicit Lyrics
With OneFour's "In the Beginning" Tour effectively shut down in Australia, the boys took their show to New Zealand for a sold-out performance at the Powerstation, Auckland on Dec 5th 2019.
On landing in Auckland the day before the show, they learned of the heavy prison sentence handed down to Yp & Celly. They also lost J_Emz who was denied entry into the country by NZ immigration.
Carlin Leota captures behind the scene footage as Spenny decides to carry the weight of the team on his shoulders and press on with the show despite being down 3 members.
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Presented by : OneFour Shot
Edited : Carlin Leota
Assisted by : Ben Mikha, Samson Rambo, Torrell Tafa & additional footage by @kumehanik
Samoa measles crisis: Helping Hands volunteers feeding families
via RNZ Pacific
The death toll from Samoa's measles epidemic has risen to 79, as a State of Emergency is extended in the country.
As medical staff continue to work around the clock, and the country welcomes international aid, there is a host of people preparing meals and care packs for those affected.
"The hospitals, they give the patients three meals a day, but we also wanted to help the families as well because you know there's a mum and a dad - the hospital can only feed so many," Eka Arp told Checkpoint's Alex Perrottet and Logan Church.
She and her volunteers have been hard at work preparing meals for families of those hospitalised with measles.
Her cousin Apu's home in Apia has been converted into an industrial kitchen to cater for all the need.
"Because we've gotten so many donations and we don't want anything to go off, we get teams of volunteers to come in and chop and pack, so we can freeze all the vegetables we have," Ms Arp said.…more
NICK WILLIAMS' CHRISTMAS SURPRISE
Former Blues and Junior All Blacks player Nick Williams was reduced to tears after his Welsh rugby club, the Cardiff Blues surprised him by flying out his Mother from New Zealand to spend time with him and his family over the Christmas break.
Nick has played for Cardiff for the last 12 years and his Mother has never seen him play live for the club. This upcoming season will be his final season at the club.
Nick is the older brother of Manu Samoa player Tim Nanai-Williams and cousin to Toronto Wolfpacks latest signing Sonny Bill Williams
Tribute to Va’asilifiti Moelagi Jackson
Va’asilifiti Moelagi Jackson - pioneer, leader, humanitarian dubbed the #QueenOfSavaii
NORWAY's EMT HAPPY TO SPEND XMAS & NEW YEAR IN SAMOA
The Norwegians Emergency Medical Team is spending their Christmas and New Years away from loved ones.
Even though they're away from home, the team would have loved to stay on for at least a month longer, says Team Leader Anne Marie Bruu. “We remain in high spirits because we believe in our cause and we want to help Samoa.”
"Spending the holidays in Samoa is also the Norwegian EMT’s way of showing our appreciation to our local hosts who have welcomed us despite the crisis,” she added “We feel right at home,” says the Logistic specialist.…more
Law Society President and Criminal Lawyer Tiana Epati has been named New Zealand Lawyer of the Year.
Ms Epati, 43, who ascended to the presidency of the Law Society in April this year, was named by legal news website LawFuel as the Lawyer of the Year for the impact her elevation has had on the profession.
Gisborne-based criminal lawyer Ms Epati is the first Pasifika president of the Society, reflecting both the changing nature and face of the profession and the ‘fresh voice’ that lawyers other than mainstream legal figures bring, said LawFuel publisher John Bowie.
The award, sponsored by Staedtler pens, is provided to the lawyer who has had the greatest impact upon the profession in the year.
In an exclusive interview with LawFuel, Ms Epati said the Law Society had made an error in ensuring that Maori and Pacifica voices were not “front and centre” of the Metoo debate that enveloped the profession.…more
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF VA'ASILIFITI MOELAGI JACKSON
Celebrating the life of Va'asilifiti Moelagi Jackson, mother, grandmother, matai, innovator, fearless leader and a woman who made her mark on the world in so many different ways.
She was a dancer who danced her way into the hearts of many.
And a knowledge holder of fa'asamoa and the age old rituals and arts of the Pacific, she shares her beautiful stories here..
Rest In Alofa Va'asilifiti, as you siva your way across the stars xxx
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - SAPATI APA
SAPATI APA
SINGER/SONG WRITER & VISUAL ARTIST
SAMOAN
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I grew up moving back and forth from wellington to auckland, but every time I live in auckland, we’ve always stayed out south. I’m Samoan - both my parents are samoan, and at the moment I’m gigging with a couple of bands and also continuing work on my EP "Fraud"
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Has music and singing always being a passion & do you see yourself doing it full time one day?
I definitely see myself doing it full time at some point - but I also have a lot of other things I’d like to try in this lifetime. Music however, has always been there for me; it was a big part of my childhood and continues to be a big part of my life. It can be so therapeutic.…more
'WAKE UP CALL TO THE WORLD' says Israeli Professor
Samoa’s measles crisis is a “wake up call for the world,” because it has set a precedent for all countries to follow the example set by the Samoa Government, says the Director of the Israel Center for Disaster Medicine and Humanitarian Response, Professor Elhanan Bar-On.
Professor Bar-on with close to three decades experience in Humanitarian and Emergency Response is urging all Samoan residents to support the Government’s Mass Vaccination Campaign. “Your Government’s decision for compulsory vaccination is an example for the World to follow,” he complimented. “It is the right decision.”
He says that the epidemic is a lesson to the world on the impact of the anti-vaccination movement. “Anti-vaccination movements exists in every country and they have no shame in the consequences of their campaign,” he said.…more