26 November
A measles outbreak has left at least 25 people dead in the Pacific island country of Samoa where an epidemic has been spreading since last month.
Samoa's government earlier this month declared a state of emergency, closed all schools and made inoculations mandatory.
It announced on Monday that there had been more than 2,000 cases of the measles, with 24 of the 25 deaths involving small children.
The World Health Organization says global incidences of measles are sharply rising. Cases are estimated to have tripled in the western Pacific region, including Samoa, from January to July this year, compared to the same period last year.
A low vaccination rate stemming from parental concerns over the preventive measure is said to be behind the outbreak in Samoa.
Japan's Foreign Ministry is calling on residents and travelers to exercise caution.
-NHK
