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.