Second UK-aid funded Emergency Medical Team (UK EMT) will be deployed to help tackle the deadly measles outbreak in Samoa
The UK government has confirmed today (9 December) that a second UK aid-funded Emergency Medical Team (UK EMT) of 14 British medics will be deployed to Samoa to tackle a deadly measles outbreak over Christmas.
A first-team flew out from the UK on 29 November and is working for two weeks in Samoa to help people suffering from the virus. The UK government has now committed to extend its support.
The second UK team will replace the current team of 14 British medics and is expected to arrive on 15 December. They will be working 12-hour shifts over Christmas to treat critically ill children in Samoa’s national hospital in Apia.
120 patients are currently receiving treatment in Samoa’s national hospital for measles. Over 90% of those who have died since the outbreak began have been children under three. The UK team has been treating and resuscitating children with measles to prevent further loss of life.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Each case can infect many other people and complications can lead to pneumonia, severe diarrhoea and encephalitis or inflammation of the brain.
International Development Secretary Alok Sharma said:
Becky Platt, paediatric nurse with the UK Emergency Medical Team, currently in Samoa, said:
Stephen Owens, paediatric consultant with the UK Emergency Medical Team, currently in Samoa, said:
David Wightwick, UK-Med CEO said:
Photos of the UK’s Emergency Medical Team at work in Samoa can be found here.
Interviews are available with the UK’s Emergency Medical Team in Samoa. Please contact the DFID Press Office on 020 7023 0600.