96 perish in Papua from malnutrition, measles

JAKARTA, Jan 21 (AFP): A measles outbreak is feared to have killed 96 malnourished people in Indonesia's Papua, an official said Sunday, highlighting a health crisis in the country's easternmost province.

A total of 69 toddlers have died in the remote Asmat region, said Papua military spokesman Muhammad Aidi, while reports on the ground suggest 27 people have died in an equally remote and mountainous district named Oksibil.

"We have received reports from villagers that the outbreak is also happening in Oksibil district and our staff have confirmed that, but we still need to check how many people have died," Aidi told AFP.

"Measles is not dangerous, it's a mild disease. But because those children are malnourished, they can't cope in that condition."

The government and military have sent medical teams and are supplying villagers with medicine, vaccines, medical equipment and nutritious food in Asmat.