2019 Kuala Koh measles outbreak
| 2019 Kuala Koh measles outbreak | |
|---|---|
  The site of the outbreak in 2019. | |
| Disease | Measles |
| Virus strain | Measles virus |
| Index case | 2 May 2019 |
| Confirmed cases | 43[1] |
| Suspected cases‡ | 113[1] |
Deaths | 15 (total deaths)[n 1] 4 (according to MOH)[n 2] |
| ‡Suspected cases have not been confirmed by laboratory tests as being due to this strain, although some other strains may have been ruled out. | |
The2019 Kuala Koh measles outbreakwas ameaslesoutbreak that occurred among theOrang Aslisub-group ofBatek peoplein Kuala Koh Village in the state ofKelantan,Malaysia,from May until July.[4]Following the sudden deaths of several villagers, the disease became a mystery among the villagers and public for nearly a month until it was identified by theMalaysian Health Ministryin mid-June as measles.[2][5][6]
Background of the disease[edit]
The sudden deaths of 14Orang Aslivillagers in Kuala Koh Village was at first considered a mystery with two people dying frompneumoniacomplications between 2 May and 7 June, while the remaining people's causes of death remain unknown as their bodies were buried by locals prior to reports of the outbreak.[4][5]On 8 June, a further 83 villagers presented pneumonia with two of them, a 36-year-old woman and three-year-old baby, in critical condition.[5]Thirty-seven of the villagers received outpatient treatment with 32 treated at Gua Musang Hospital, 11 at Kuala Krai Hospital, and another three at the Orang Asli Health Homestay.[5]Another died on 16 June, bringing the total death toll to 15.[2]
Villager claims[edit]
One of the villagers claimed that the deaths are caused byminingactivity that is situated near the village. He revealed that his two daughters have been experiencing breathing difficulty for days and could not sleep at night; some of his neighbours died of the same disease.[4]Despite knowing the nearby mining activities causing pollution to theirwater source,another villager claimed they have no other choice than to use the water for their daily activities.[5]
Official response, investigation, and conclusion[edit]
On 9 June, the Malaysianfederal governmentthrough Deputy Prime MinisterWan Azizah Wan Ismailsaid they are investigating the cause as well the allegations ofwater pollutionand promised stern action will be taken against the culprits if it is indeed found the deaths were caused by contamination on their water source.[7]A similar statement was echoed by Water, Land and Natural Resources MinisterTengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Pujiduring his visit to the affected community.[8]On 11 June, Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah called an emergency meeting for the unexplained deaths which was attended by a minister in the Prime Minister's Department,Waytha Moorthy Ponnusamy,Health MinisterDzulkefly Ahmadand Energy, Technology, Science, Climatic Change and Environment MinisterYeo Bee Yin.[9]
Based on samples taken by the Environment Department from themanganesemine andwater catchmentareas close to the villagers settlement, the results on 12 June showed the water is free of hazardous contaminants and meet the standards forraw water.[10]On the same day, the affected area was declared bypoliceas a "red zone".[11]Through further laboratory tests on 37 villagers in the area with similar symptoms of illness, the disease was finally confirmed to be measles on 15 June.[2][6]Until 20 June, a further 43 measles cases are confirmed among the community with three more respiratory illnesses also being reported in the area.[12][13]
The Malaysian Health Ministry said the cause of the spread among the Orang Asli community is due to low coverage ofMMR immunisationwhich is attributed to the relatively lowimmunisationrate among the community with theirnomadic lifestyle.Health MinisterDzulkefly Ahmadexplained that although 61.5% of the villagers received their first measles,mumps,andrubella(MMR) shots, only 30% of them had their follow-up shots.[2][14]Since the outbreak was announced, 113 cases has been reported in the affected area with a total 43 confirmed cases.[1]Despite the relatively low deaths reported by the findings of Health Ministry, the latter was unable to confirm the post-mortems results on the skeletal remains of several more cases.[15]The "red zone" declaration was lifted on 8 July after the area was declared safe for the public.[16]
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ^abcd"43 confirmed measles cases among Kuala Koh Batek tribesmen - MOH".Bernama. 20 June 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 27 August 2019.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^abcdeAlyssa J. Oon (17 June 2019)."A Measles Outbreak Is The Cause of 15 Orang Asli Deaths In Kelantan".Says.Archivedfrom the original on 27 August 2019.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^Shathana Kasinathan (9 July 2019)."Another Kuala Koh death due to measles".Free Malaysia Today.Archivedfrom the original on 27 August 2019.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^abcHannah Ellis-Petersen (11 June 2019)."Malaysia's last indigenous nomadic tribe threatened by deadly mystery illness".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 27 August 2019.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^abcdeJia Vern Tham (10 June 2019)."14 Orang Asli Have Died In Kelantan Within A Month. Here's All You Need To Know".Says.Archivedfrom the original on 27 August 2019.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^abJoseph Kaos Jr. (17 June 2019)."Health Minister: Disease affecting Kampung Kuala Koh is measles".The Star.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^"Malaysia to investigate water pollution allegations after Orang Asli deaths in Kelantan: DPM".Channel NewsAsia. 9 June 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 27 August 2019.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^"Pneumonia outbreak: Ministry probing claims of water contamination".Bernama.New Straits Times. 10 June 2019.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^"Dr Wan Azizah chairs emergency meeting on 'unexplained' Orang Asli deaths".Bernama.The Malay Mail. 11 June 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 27 August 2019.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^Jo Timbuong (14 June 2019)."Water samples near Kuala Koh Orang Asli settlement free from contaminants, says DOE".The Star.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah (12 June 2019)."Orang Asli deaths: Kampung Kuala Koh declared 'red zone'".New Straits Times.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^"43 confirmed measles cases among Kuala Koh Batek tribesmen - MOH".Bernama. 20 June 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 27 August 2019.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^Tarrence Tan (22 June 2019)."Health Ministry: Three more cases of respiratory illness reported in Kg Kuala Koh".The Star.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^Debra Chong (17 June 2019)."Health minister verifies Kuala Koh Orang Asli hit by measles outbreak".The Malay Mail.Archivedfrom the original on 27 August 2019.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^"Kampung Kuala Koh Orang Asli deaths: post-mortems inconclusive".Bernama.New Straits Times. 6 July 2019.Retrieved27 August2019.
- ^Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah (7 July 2019)."Kampung Kuala Koh safe, authorities to lift 'red zone' order tomorrow".New Straits Times.Retrieved27 August2019.
Further reading[edit]
- Rachel Tay (18 June 2019)."The mysterious illness that caused 15 deaths in a Malaysian tribe has been linked to a measles outbreak".Business Insider Malaysia. Archived fromthe originalon 30 August 2019.Retrieved27 August2019.
- Nadirah H. Rodzi (2 July 2019)."Measles outbreak among Orang Asli in remote Malaysia catches national attention".The Straits Times.Retrieved27 August2019.
