29 die in measles outbreak

29 die in measles outbreak

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines (AFP): At least 29 children have died in an outbreak of measles this month in seven remote villages near this southern Philippine city, a local official said yesterday.

Emmanuel de Guzman, regional director for the Office of Southern Cultural Communities (OSCC), said 17 died from July 1- 15, while 12 died over the past four days.

Most of the victims were members of the animist Manobo tribe inhabiting the northern regions of the main southern island of Mindanao.

Manobo chieftain Datu Takasan said the villages had not been visited by doctors since the 1980s because of the rough terrain and lack of roads.