"I do not think this is a straight-forward airborne disease. This is a community left behind, dying from neglect. Cordoning off the place is not the answer. They need help. Lots of help from all public agencies."

Dr Steven Chow was upset and angry as he conveyed his thoughts over the unfolding crisis at Kampung Kuala Koh, Gua Musang, where 14 Bateq villagers have died since early May.

As the team leader of the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) medical outreach programme, Chow has been involved in providing healthcare to indigenous communities since...