At least 30 children dead in Myanmar from unknown disease

YANGON, Myanmar – An official says at least 30 children have died in Myanmar’s northwest Naga region since mid-June from an unknown disease that causes breathing difficulty.

Kay Sai, a local administrator in the area, says the central government has not sent any help since the outbreak of the disease two months ago. He says the deaths have been recorded in Nanyun and Lahe towns in the Naga region, one of the poorest in the country. He says most of the victims have been younger than 5.

Kay Sai said Thursday that officials have not been able to identify the disease, which appears to be contagious.

He said local authorities have temporarily banned people from travelling around to prevent contagion.