Measles-hit Samoa on lockdown
The Pacific island nation of Samoa is on a virtual lockdown as authorities struggle to curb a measles epidemic which has already claimed more than 60 lives.
Most of the deaths were young children and household have been ordered to fly red flags outside their homes if they are unvaccinated.
At least 4,200 have been infected in the past few weeks.
Public services are virtually non-existent and roads are deserted as the public have been advised to stay indoors.
Interisland ferry services are cancelled and all residents who need to travel must get special permission
Medical teams are going door-to-door to provide vaccinations.
The government said the lockdown will last for at least two days as it administers shots to as many people as possible.
The scale of the mass vaccination drive is unprecedented, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said.
Capital Apia, normally bustling with tourists and cruise visitors currently resembles a ghost town.
It’s very, very quiet out here. I can just hear a few barking dogs. The streets are empty. There are no cars," UNICEF’s Pacific islands chief Sheldon Yett told AFP.
"People are staying at home waiting for the vaccination. I’ve seen mass mobilisation campaigns before, but not over an entire country like this," Yett said.
Prior to the outbreak the rate of vaccinations was only about 30% of the population, partly due to the influence of anti-vaxxers on social media.
Samoan authorities believe the outbreak was caused by an infected tourist from New Zealand.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season