Papua New Guinea health officials have been dispatched to the Eastern Highlands after dozens of people reportedly died in a disease outbreak.
Elias Kapavore Photo: Jubi / Zonadamai.com
The provincial governor, Peter Numu, told local media 35 people at the local hospital died from curable diseases.
He said 11 died over the weekend, although he didn't specify when the others died.
PNG's Health Minister, Elias Kapavore, said health department officials alongside the World Health Organisation will arrive in Goroka town today.
"I think it is to do with the lack of infection control monitoring and prevention in the hospital that has led to this particular unfortunate scenario that has affected the lives of many of our people there."
Mr Kapavore, who said he would fly to Goroka to look at the situation, noted that media reports linked the deaths to Klebsiella, a rare disease often caused by poor infection control.
But according to him, the National Emergency Operations Centre hadn't received a formal report by the hospital or Provincial Health Authority regarding a disease outbreak.
However the minister said the situation warranted investigation.
