The death toll from a measles epidemic in Samoa has reached 32, according to health authorities in the Pacific island nation.

Key points: Samoa is in a state of emergency over the deadly outbreak

Samoa is in a state of emergency over the deadly outbreak There are currently more than 2,400 reported cases across the nation

There are currently more than 2,400 reported cases across the nation The death toll, which has been rising, stood at 25 yesterday afternoon

Most of the victims have been children under the age of four, however three people aged between 10 and 19 have also died, as well as one person in their 30s.

Samoa's Ministry of Health announced that the total number of reported measles cases had now hit 2,437, with 243 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours.

Samoa declared a state of emergency over its measles outbreak a little over a week ago, after first announcing an epidemic in October.

More than 56,000 people have received vaccinations since the outbreak was announced, with 24,000 people receiving vaccinations since last Wednesday as part of a mass immunisation campaign.

However some desperate parents are still turning to questionable alternative healers to help alleviate their children's measles symptoms.

Authorities have made measles vaccinations compulsory under law and publicly warned people against discouraging others from receiving vaccinations.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 27 seconds 27 s Children with measles are sprayed with "healing water" in Samoa.

Anxiety was also growing in neighbouring countries battling their own smaller-scale measles outbreaks.

Fijian authorities have restricted public vaccinations due to a shortage of supplies, prioritising people living in the most affected areas, children aged between six months and three years, and people travelling overseas.

However this has seen some concerned parents turned away from health centres.

The country has had 13 confirmed measles cases so far, according to local media, but no deaths.

Fiji's Government was expecting an additional 200,000 vaccines to arrive from Europe in the coming days.