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n emergency situation has been declared in Deiyai regency, in Papua, where a measles outbreak is believed to have caused the deaths of 40 infants in the past three months, said Papua Health Agency secretary Silwanus Sumule.

A team from the Papua Health Agency, with the help of a team from Paniai, a regency neighboring Deiyai, has inspected the four villages in West Tigi district, Deiyai, where suspected cases have occurred. The teams are giving the necessary treatment and putting in place preventive measures for infants in the four villages and surrounding areas.

Silwanus said many babies in the area had not been vaccinated against measles. “Three months ago, the Deiyai Health Agency head warned people to vaccinate their children. But as there are so many measles cases, it appears no vaccinations were done,” Silwanus added.

West Tigi district leader Frans Bobii acknowledged that awareness of the need for children to be vaccinated was lacking in the area.

“The government has built facilities, but people hardly used them to get medical treatment,” he added.