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December 23, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Papua New Guinea Measles Epidemic Kills 20 Children, 'National Disaster' Mooted" BBC Worldwide Monitoring (www.monitor.bbc.co.uk) (12/20/02)

At least 20 children have died from a measles outbreak in the Henganofi area of Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea, according to Dr. Banare Bun, and 10 more are sick in the villages of Dunaduna valley.  Bun reported to health officials in Goroka that unless it is stopped, the outbreak could kill thousands more people in the valley and surrounding area.  "If we don't contain this situation, we are going to have a catastrophe, a national disaster," he stated.  Provincial authorities reportedly are working to address the situation; however, they do not have the vaccines, personnel, and transportation to help deliver the medical supplies.

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