The government in Papua New Guinea's been criticised for dragging its feet over a deadly flu and dysentery outbreak.
Official figures say the death toll in rural villages in the Morobe province is at least eighty but local reports have put the figure at more than double that.
3-thousand more have been diagnosed as suffering from flu and dysentry.
The National newspaper reports that the PNG opposition has criticised the Government for not declaring an emergency in the area.
It says the situation is very critical situation, and lives have been lost, yet the Government has not announced a response plan.
Yesterday, the Papua New Guinea Health minister, Sasa Zibe, told Radio New Zealand International there was not a crisis as tests had shown the cause of many of the deaths was common flu.
But he said the situation was serious, and many people were dying because of dehydration.
He admitted there were not enough resources in the area, but said it was difficult to reach the remote villages affected.
He said the government has now freed up a helicopter and there is a team on the ground.