Samoa's Director of Health says the measles outbreak has been complicated by the 2018 deaths of two babies from an incorrectly mixed measles vaccine.
The deaths prompted a suspension of Samoa's measles immunisation programme for eight months, lowering herd immunity.
The director, Leausa Dr Take Naseri spoke with Jenny Meyer in Apia about the outbreak that may have claimed three lives.
Leausa says so far there have not been any other deaths related to measles.
Surgical face masks are now becoming a common sight in the shops and streets of Apia as the community responds to the measles epidemic. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Jenny Meyer
