Medical authorities are keeping a close eye on Samoa's measles outbreak, with the possibility more cases of the disease could come back here

A handful of people are thought to have died from measles in Samoa - while there are also measles cases reported in Tonga and Fiji.

New Zealand is sending 3000 measles vaccines and 12 nurses to Samoa to help combat the outbreak.

Professional Services manager Hilary Graham-Smith says we largely transported the measles to Samoa and they could just as easily bring it back to us.

She says whatever the island and whatever the case we need to be monitoring that - and also provide compassionate support.