In Papua New Guinea, a whooping cough outbreak has claimed the lives of three children in a remote area of Jiwaka province.
The newspaper, The National, reports the nursing officer in charge, David Karipu, saying the deaths occurred at the Emmanuel Health Centre.
He says it is difficult for people to transport patients to the health centre until it is too late, because of the long distances involved.
The cough has been raging since last December and extra staff have been requested.
The people of the area have been banned from travelling to other parts to contain the outbreak.
