Samoa has lifted a six-week state of emergency, which was put in place amid a measles epidemic that killed 81 people and infected more than 5,600. Just 200,000 people live on the South Pacific island nation, and vaccination rates are far lower than in neighbouring countries.

Most of those killed in the outbreak were babies and young children. Infection rates slowed earlier this month after a vaccination drive pushed immunisation rates towards 95%. According to aid agencies, this is the level required in order to have “herd immunity” against the disease. Under the emergency orders put in place last month, schools were closed, travel and public gatherings were restricted, and red flags were placed outside the homes of people who hadn’t been vaccinated.(BBC)…[+]