THE Orang Asli of Kg Kuala Koh, Gua Musang, have been hit by the highly contagious measles, said the Health Ministry.

“The disease is measles. Up till June 15, 37 cases have been confirmed by laboratory tests,” it said in a statement today.

“The reason for the spread of the virus is the community’s low measles immunisation rate – 61.5% for the first dosage and 30% for the second.”

The statement comes as the outbreak claimed the life of a toddler. Nasri Rosli, 3, died yesterday, becoming the 15th member of the Bateq tribe to succumb to the illness, previously described as “mysterious”.

He died at Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital in Kota Baru, said P. Waytha Moorthy, minister in charge of national unity, in a statement today.

“The hospital’s forensic unit will conduct a post-mortem today to confirm the cause of death.”

He said the Orang Asli Development Department will provide assistance to Nasri’s family.

Until yesterday, the child had been in critical condition at the hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit.

He had been hospitalised for eight days, and was breathing with the help of a ventilator.

Nasri’s father Rosli Jong, 30, had also been admitted to the same hospital for a lung infection. He has been declared free of the illness, but is still being monitored.

It was earlier reported that Nasri had been admitted for inflammation of the lungs, or pneumonia, on June 9.

The illness that hit Kg Kuala Koh has claimed lives since last month. Previously, pneumonia was suspected to be the cause of the deaths, as the victims reportedly suffered breathing difficulties before they died.

The ministry said health officers faced difficulties administering the MMR – measles, mumps and rubella – vaccine to members of the Bateq tribe due to their nomadic lifestyle.

“Add to that their poor diets… the risk of infection is high.”

As of June 15, there were 112 cases, including two deaths, reported, said the ministry.

“The Orang Asli are suffering breathing difficulties… (there are) fewer (cases of) cough, cold and ‘red eye’ syndrome.

“Fifty-two patients are being treated in hospital, while another 19 at the Orang Asli clinic in Gua Musang. Another 39 patients have been allowed to return home.”

The ministry said it has checked 170 of Kg Kuala Koh’s 185 residents.

“Of the 14 reported deaths (excluding Nasri), only two were brought to hospital for a post-mortem. The first person died due to pneumonia.

“As of 6.40pm yesterday, 12 bodies have been retrieved from Kuala Koh and taken to Gua Musang Hospital for a post-mortem.”

A single case of measles can spread to 12 to 18 individuals. Infection is through contact with bodily fluids.

The disease can be prevented by administering the MMR vaccine to babies when they are 9 months old (first dosage) and 12 months old (second dosage). – June 17, 2019.