The malaria outbreak in 15 Penan settlements in Ulu Baram is under control, Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan said today.

He said medical teams had been despatched to the areas to check on the Penan and give them malaria pills to curb the spread of the mosquito-borne disease as all cases were treatable.

"I have received feedback that it was very hard to reach the Penan, so the medical teams had to wait for them to come out from the jungle in order to give them the tablets," Dr Chan, who is also the state disaster and relief management committee chairperson, told reporters in Kuching after receiving sponsorship worth RM1.2 million from Celcom for the Rainforest World Music Festival 2010.

It was reported that there were at least five confirmed malaria cases over the last few days but Dr Chan clarified that one of the patients, a 70-year-old man, had died from kidney problems and other complications on Friday.

The five villagers from Long Palai, including the village head, were admitted to the Miri Hospital.

He said a total of 1,286 malaria cases, including 655 in Baram with the highest incidence, had been reported in Sarawak up to the 25th week this year compared to 2,158 cases during the corresponding period last year.

- Bernama