The South Pacific island nation of Samoa has lifted a six week-state of emergency after the infection rate from a measles outbreak that has swept the country started to come under control.

Key points: Measles went through Samoa's population due to the comparatively low vaccination rates

Measles went through Samoa's population due to the comparatively low vaccination rates The outbreak has killed 81 people and infected more than 5,600

The outbreak has killed 81 people and infected more than 5,600 A vaccine drive has pushed immunisation rates towards 95 per cent, helping contain the disease

Samoa's island population of just 200,000 has been gripped by the highly infectious disease that has killed 81 people, most of them babies and young children, and infected more than 5,600 people.

The Government announced in a statement late on Saturday the end of the emergency orders put in place last month, which included aggressive measures to contain the virus such as closing schools and restricting travel.

Measles cases are on the rise globally, including in wealthy nations such as the United States and Germany, where some parents shun life-saving vaccines due to false theories suggesting links between childhood immunisations and autism.

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Death and infection rates in Samoa started to slow in mid-December after a vaccine drive pushed immunisation rates towards 95 per cent, the level aid agencies say is effective in creating "herd immunity" that can contain the disease.

Families were asked to place red flags outside their home as medical teams went door-to-door to reach unvaccinated people.

Earlier in the year, an outbreak of measles hit the New Zealand city of Auckland, a hub for travel to and from small Pacific islands.

The disease soon found a highly susceptible population in Samoa which had far lower vaccination rates than its neighbours.

Simona Marinescu, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Samoa, said funds are needed to continue the state of recovery.

Samoa's Ministry of Health said there were 46 measles cases in hospital, nine of that number are critically ill children, while another critical patient is a pregnant woman.

ABC/Reuters