Mysterious disease kills many Malaysian natives
In one month, 14 Batek natives living in an isolated village suddenly died, including 12 people whose cause is unknown.
Malaysian officials are investigating the deaths of several Batek tribe members in Kelantan state after a month-long battle with a mysterious illness.
Of the 14 deaths, two were due to pneumonia and the cause of death for 12 is unknown. A total of 83 residents of the village are receiving medical treatment, 46 of whom are hospitalized.
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The Batek tribe lives in isolation from the outside world. Photo:Original People |
On June 10, Dzulkefly Ahmad, Malaysia's Health Minister, said that many of the dead were buried in the forest, and authorities were trying to determine where they were buried to conduct an exhumation for an autopsy.
News of the deaths emerged last week when the village chief blamed mining activities for poisoning the water supply, causing strange illnesses and deaths among the villagers.
Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, warned that the government will punish anyone who pollutes water sources used by indigenous people.
Malaysia has 18 officially recognized indigenous tribes, of which Batek is one of the smallest with a population of less than 2,000. This village is isolated from the outside world, residents of the Batek tribe often travel back and forth to the border area between Kelantan and Pahang states.
