PHOTO
Villagers help unload supplies in Papua New Guinea. [Australian Defence Force]
Firmin Nanol, Port Moresby
Last Updated: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:12:00 +1000
Authorities in Papua New Guinea are investigating diseases that claimed the lives of more than 40 people in a remote district of Morobe province last week.
Health adviser for Morobe province, Dr Theo Likei, says 20 people died of dysentery in the remote Menyamya district, and 21 died of a mysterious influenza-like disease.
He says more than 800 people have been affected and fears children and pregnant women are at risk.
''The most important people are, of course, our children, under-fives," he says.
"Then the second will be followed by our women, particularly those who are pregnant, we want to make sure they are safe.''
He says officials from the World Health Organisation and PNG's health department are in the area to determine the cause of the deaths.
Ten villages with no health facilities and poor road and communication links are reported to have been affected by the disease.
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