14 die in measles outbreak on Borneo

14 die in measles outbreak on Borneo

MALAYSIA: Thirteen children and an adult from a remote tribe have
died in a measles outbreak in a Malaysian state on Borneo island,
a news report said on Sunday.

The outbreak started about three weeks ago, with the last
death recorded a few days ago, the Sunday Star said.

The paper, quoting Sarawak state Deputy Chief Minister George
Chan, said 66 cases had been recorded, with 14 deaths and some
other cases which were "quite serious".

"We are trying to find out whether this is a new strain of the
virus and why the outbreak is so serious," Chan was quoted as
saying.

The dead - 13 children, aged three months to five years, and a
man - were from the Penan tribe who lived in a communal longhouse
in Belaga, near the Bakun hydroelectric dam project site.

Chan said the Penans in Belaga had never been exposed to
measles. However, one of the tribe members married a woman from
outside the area and the couple returned to the settlement
recently. -- AP