Indonesia’s measles, chickenpox claim 100 lives

A deadly epidemic of measles has spread like wildfire in the Indonesian province of Papua, and so far 100 children have lost their lives due to the disease.

It is reported that children in the remote province also suffer from malnutrition and there has been an outbreak of chickenpox as well.

It was initially feared that some 68 deaths have occurred in the mountainous Oksibil district alone, however according to church leaders the death toll could be in hundreds.

In order to combat the disease, the government has launched a program, which some believe will do little to no good.

However, arrangements have been made for citizens to fly from Asmat to the country’s capital, by helicopter. 

The military and the government have provided necessities like food, medical equipment, vaccines to the victims as well.