The US government has released nearly half-a-million dollars to support efforts to prevent the spread of measles in American Samoa.
MMR vaccinations underway in American Samoa. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Monica Miller
With 11 confirmed cases of the disease, the territory has declared a public health emergency with border restrictions imposed, schools closed and public gatherings restricted.
To date, an epidemic in neighbouring Samoa has claimed the lives of 83 people.
In a statement, the department of interior assistant secretary, Doug Domenech, said current efforts had so far been effective in "stabilising and preventing the spread of measles".
Funding of $US490,000 would help efforts to bring vaccination levels to 100 percent, he said.
