Malaria causes deaths in Irian

WAMENA, Irian Jaya: Jayawijaya Regent J.B. Wenas said Tuesday that the recent deaths of 31 people in Lolat, Weawen and Kabianggama villages in Jayawijaya regency were caused by cerebral malaria, and not by meningitis as reported earlier by a missionary.

Antara quoted Wenas as saying in Wamena that blood tests had shown that many of the villagers had been suffering from cerebral malaria which affected their brains.

Two doctors arrived in the mountainous area, 2,000 meters above sea level, last week and evacuated five villagers to Wamena for more intensive treatment.

Missionary Carol, 37, reported earlier that meningitis had allegedly killed 31 people since August.

Head of state-owned Wamena hospital Siwi Murniati acknowledged that malaria-carrying mosquitoes were unable to survive in the mountains.

"People from coastal areas might have brought the disease to the remote areas," Siwi said. She said malnutrition had worsened victims' condition. (prb)