Bateq toddler died of measles, says Kelantan MB

Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob confirmed that the death of the three-year-old Bateq toddler from Kampung Kuala Koh was due to measles.

“This is based on the information obtained from hospital sources,” he told reporters when met in Kota Bharu this afternoon.

Earlier, Malaysiakini reported that the child, Nasri Rosli, died at the intensive care unit of the Kota Bharu Hospital yesterday evening.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P Waythamoorthy said that the hospital's forensic unit would conduct a postmortem to ascertain the cause of death.

The Bateq tribespeople from Kampung Kuala Koh have witnessed more than a dozendeaths under mysterious circumstances since the first week of May.

The cause has yet to be ascertained, but the victims reportedly suffered from breathing difficulties, with a pneumonia outbreak suspected.

Kampung Kuala Koh has been designated a restricted zone until further notice.

Last Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail confirmed that tests revealed the water source in the village is not contaminated.

Meanwhile, Ahmad said the Kelantan state government is of the opinion that the lifestyle of the Bateq tribe must also be scrutinised.

“Other (Orang Asli) tribes lead a more modern lifestyle. I hope all quarters look into changing the (condition) of the Bateq tribe for the better through education and so forth.

“Much needs to be done to help the Bateq tribe,” he added. - Mkini