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