Minister: Initial pneumonia result doesn't contradict measles findings

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad today announced that a second post-mortem conducted on two Orang Asli villagers from the Bateq community of Kampung Kuala Koh in Gua Musang, Kelantan revealed they died of measles, not pneumonia.

However, he stated that the results of the second post-mortem did not contradict the first post-mortem in which the finding of pneumonia was made, as the latter condition was a complication of measles.

Fifteen Orang Asli villagers from Kampung Kuala Koh have passed away since early May.

Initial post-mortems indicated that two Bateq villagers had died of pneumonia, but an order was given for their bodies to be exhumed.

Twelve more bodies had to be retrieved as they had been laid to rest according to traditional beliefs.

On June 16, Bateq toddler Nasri Rosli became the 15th victim to die, passing away due to measles in a hospital in Kota Bharu.

Dzulkefly referred to Nasri Rosli’s death today, saying: "The press statement dated June 18, 2019 has stated that the two-year-old toddler who died tested positive for measles.

“The latest results of the (second) post-mortems for the two deaths also found that they (tested) positive for measles."

"Meanwhile, the postmortem on twelve bodies and skeletons has been done, but the laboratory tests are still being carried out in order to identify the real cause of death," said the minister at a press conference in Putrajaya today.

When asked why the first postmortem on the first two victims had not detected measles, given that the resulting rashes should be visible, Dzulkefly answered that it was because the skin of the tribepeople was too dark.

"You would understand that the pigmentation of this ethnicity, they have very dark skin where you can hardly detect these rashes. With fair-skinned people, you can see it is visible and you can see the rashes," he responded.

Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said that there have been no new cases reported since June 18, 2019 and he believed that the situation is now under control.

He also stressed that there has been no new case of measles reported from Kampung Gerdong, Hulu Terengganu and Kampung Ulu Sat, Jerantut, Pahang.

Kelantan Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIK) chief Murtadha Abdullah today also reportedly said that all 15 Bateq villagers from Kampung Kuala Koh who died have been confirmed to be Muslims.

He added that their remains will be reburied after the postmortems have been completed. 

Previously, Colin Nicholas, executive director of the Centre for Orang Asli Concerns, told Malaysiakini that the problems faced by the Bateq community were not just medical, but also structural.

He cited the destruction of the Orang Asli's natural habitat and loss of resources as a reason for their health issues.  

In response to this, Dzulkefly agreed that the problem was not merely a medical one, stressing that Pakatan Harapan has formed a committee comprising multiple ministries chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to address the situation.

He also mentioned that the Kelantan Health Department had begun vaccinating the related tribes and also the communities nearby. 

"This operation involves all ages and genders because the immunisation coverage there is less than 95 percent, the cases of measles there involve all different ages, and their lifestyle, whereby they move around constantly."

The minister said that there were a total of 113 respiratory-related cases reported between June 3 and 18, and there had been no new cases after June 18.

There are a total of 43 people who have tested positive for measles.

As of June 18, 2019, there are 53 people who remain hospitalised, comprising 51 in the normal wards, and two in the ICU.

Meanwhile, there are 12 people who have less serious symptoms, and are now in the Rumah Inap Kesihatan Orang Asli (RIKA) in Gua Musang, while seven people are now in the Pusat Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) in the same area. - Mkini