Yangon, Aug 8 (IANS): At least 38 people have died of an unknown disease in remote villages in two townships in Myanmar's northwestern Sagaing region, an official report said on Monday.

The Htankhawlama village in Lahel township, where 25 people out of 38 have died, is located 64 km from Lahel. Health workers said the symptoms include fever, coughing, headache, stomach ache and rash, adding that the most vulnerable deaths were those under 12 years of age.

Sample blood test carried out at the National Health Laboratory in Yangon has revealed that three patients were diagnosed with measles which is considered to have reached epidemic proportion in the region.

Vaccination is being conducted against the disease to contain the pandemic, the report said.

In another incident, 13 deaths, mostly children, were reported in Nanyun township in the region..

Health specialists are investigating into the outbreak of the disease since mid-July, the report added.