Apia, SAMOA — Two babies and an adult are believed to have been killed in the measles epidemic in Samoa.

The government has also today ordered all preschools and day care centres closed until further notice.

In its latest advisory, the health ministry says there have been 15 confirmed cases in Samoa, but there are 314 suspected cases - most of them children under the age of four.

An eight-month-old, a 14-month old and a 37-year-old are all thought to have died from the highly-contagious virus.

Measles vaccination centres have been set up in both Upolu and Savai'i, and the government is urging those who have not been immunised to do so.

A measles epidemic was declared in Samoa earlier this month, after it was spread from New Zealand where there is an outbreak in the Auckland area.