24 people die in dengue outbreak

SUMENEP, East Java: At least 24 people have died and 355 have been hospitalized in a dengue outbreak that has stricken Sumenep regency in Madura island since November.

Spokesman for the Sumenep administration Mohammad Roeslan said Saturday that doctors throughout the regency had been ordered to be alert for a possible crisis.

"The Sumenep regent has ordered doctors in all community health centers to suspend their holiday leave," Roeslan was quoted by Antara as saying.

Roeslan also said that each health center had been instructed to establish a post in charge of coordinating prevention activities.

"The coordinating posts are to give first aid to affected people. They should be open 24 hours a day," he said.

The Sumenep regent has allocated Rp 10 million (US$4,175) to control the disease, according to Roeslan. (imn)