140 at Mt. Merapi contract malaria

140 at Mt. Merapi contract malaria

MAGELANG, Central Java: Around 140 people living on the slopes
of Mount Merapi in Magelang district had contracted malaria in
the first half of this year, a local official said here on
Saturday.

Magelang district head Hasyim Afandi told Antara the local
health office had taken measures to curb the outbreak, including
taking blood samples of the sick.

The health office had also sent its personnel to the area to
check the state of health and sanitation among the local
community.

"People living on the slopes of Mount Merapi were also being
counseled on how to handle and combat malaria," Hasyim said.
(bby)