Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Samoa arrests vaccination critic amid deadly measles crisis
Source: BBC
Samoa arrests vaccination critic amid deadly measles crisis
6 December 2019
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.
-snip-
Who was arrested?
Mr Tamasese had spoken out against vaccines on Facebook, instead promoting using ineffective remedies such as papaya leaf extract to treat the deadly illness.
Before his arrest, he had described the government's mass vaccination programme as "the greatest crime against our people", and falsely claimed vitamin C could cure the infected children.
-snip-
6 December 2019
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.
-snip-
Who was arrested?
Mr Tamasese had spoken out against vaccines on Facebook, instead promoting using ineffective remedies such as papaya leaf extract to treat the deadly illness.
Before his arrest, he had described the government's mass vaccination programme as "the greatest crime against our people", and falsely claimed vitamin C could cure the infected children.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50682881