Behind the Story: Malaysia's Last Hunter-Gatherers

For decades, the Batek of Kuala Koh had seen their territory and lifestyles encroached upon. Then, in May 2019, high fevers set in. A mysterious illness spread like wildfire claiming 16 lives, within two weeks, in a community of 186 members of this clan of Malaysia’s last hunter-gatherers. In the end, 100 would be hospitalized, and only 20 would be left unaffected.