ANOTHER Orang Asli villager from Kampung Kuala Koh, Gua Musang, reportedly symptomatic of lung infection, died this morning, the third such death from the village recently.

The person was admitted to Kuala Krai Hospital (HKK) a few days ago but was transferred to Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZII), Kota Baru for more specialist care.

No details on the third person, who is believed to have utilised allegedly polluted hill water, have been released so far.

District police chief Mohd Taufik Maidin confirmed the latest death toll due to the outbreak.

State health officials today refuted reports that 13 Orang Asli died from a mysterious disease.

Two individuals died of pneumonia as stated in the autopsy report, the state health department said in a statement.

“The state health department would like to clarify the incident involving the Orang Asli Bateq tribe in Kuala Koh, Gua Musang.

“The reports claiming that 13 Orang Asli died from a mysterious disease are untrue. Two Orang Asli died because of lung infection (pneumonia). The cause of death was confirmed after an autopsy was conducted on the victims,” it said.

“We hope the villagers in Kampung Kuala Koh will keep in constant contact with the police, especially in reporting deaths, to facilitate investigations, Taufik said.

He added that based on the latest update, 119 villagers had received treatment and six critical cases were referred to HKK.

“Of the original number, 19 are still receiving treatment at Gua Musang Hospital, while four more are at Gua Musang Orang Asli transit clinic,” he said. – Bernama, June 9, 2019.