Mobile units have been going out every day taking vaccines to villages. Photo: RNZ / Alex Perrottet

The death toll from Samoa’s measles epidemic has risen to 60, with five deaths recorded in the past 24 hours.

All but eight of the dead were children aged under four.

The Ministry of Health said another 171 cases of measles recorded since Tuesday bringing the total to more than 4000.

Of those who are ill, 177 people remain in hospital, including 20 children in critical condition.