Severe measles in Vietnam

The effects of measles epidemic amongst Cambodian refugees who were inadequately housed and fed in a refugee camp on the Cambodian-Vietnam border are described. As the condition of the people deteriorated, kwashiokor became prevalent and from a comparatively low death rate initially, children began to die in quick succession. With the supply of extra high-protein food this trend was soon reversed. However, the mortality figures given are official ones and there is no way of checking them by counting graves, as the Cambodians burn their dead. Therefore, it is more than likely that the real situation is understated.