American Samoa's Measles Outbreak Accelerates

The American Samoa Department of Health's latest Situation Report confirmed additional measles cases. As of April 30, 2023, the health department reported two confirmed measles cases and 52 probable.

American Samoa declared a public health emergency on April 24, 2023.

However, the U.S. CDC has not issued a related measles alert as of May 1, 2023. The CDC did issued a Global Measles Alert on April 6, 2023.

Measles is among the most contagious viral diseases known. Infected people are usually infectious from 4 days before until four days after rash onset. Therefore, the CDC suggests infants and unvaccinated adults traveling internationally should get one dose of a measles vaccine before traveling.

American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the U.S. located in the South Pacific Ocean.