19 die of diarrhea in Morowali regency

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Since early February, at least 19 people in Morowali regency here have died due to diarrhea, making the ailment a major cause of concern in the region, a senior official said on Wednesday.

The 19 people were among 149 people affected by diarrhea in the regency since the start of February, said Natsir Borman, the head of the Central Sulawesi Provincial Health Office.

According to Natsir, the 19 died due to a lack of medical treatment. Instead of going doctors, they consulted shamans, he said. The office had sent medicine and a team of medical personnel to the worst affected areas to help combat the outbreak. -- JP