AKIPRESS.COM - Samoa has begun a mass vaccination campaign of all 200,000 islanders after a measles epidemic escalated, Sky News reports.

Families have been asked to stay indoors and hang red flags outside their homes if they need vaccinations as medics carry out door-to-door visits.

The death toll from the epidemic has risen to more than 60.

Among the fatalities are 23 babies below the age of one, and 25 children aged between one and four.

Government officials have said more than 4,200 measles cases have been reported since the outbreak, with 165 in the last 24 hours.

The South Pacific island declared a national emergency last month.

Authorities believe the virus was first spread by a traveller from New Zealand.