APIA – Samoa has arrested an anti-vaccination campaigner as the country continues to battle a deadly measles outbreak.
Edwin Tamasese was charged with incitement against a government order after he was detained on Thursday.
The outbreak – which has killed at least 63 people, mostly young children, since October – is in part blamed on people spreading false information, claiming vaccinations are dangerous.
Samoa declared a state of emergency, and made vaccinations compulsory.
Measles is a highly contagious illness that causes coughing, rashes and fever.
Although effective and safe vaccination is available, even some developed countries have seen a resurgence in recent years as unfounded fears about vaccine safety began to spread, often on social media. (BBC)