Airborne virus killing in Kupang
Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang
Hospitals are bursting at the seams dealing with a diarrhea outbreak in Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, which has claimed at least seven children's lives, local health officials said on Wednesday.
At least 722 others, mostly children aged between two and five years, are in critical conditions and are currently receiving intensive care at hospitals and health community centers (Puskesmas).
"The diarrhea outbreak is categorized as an extraordinary case as the number of victims who are dead or hospitalized has continued to rise since last week," Kupang health office head Paulus M. Wighnoyati told The Jakarta Post.
Reports said the seven had died in the past week as they did not receive prompt treatment.
The three hospitals in Kupang were unable to accommodate all the patients due to limited space and the increasing numbers of patients.
"That's why the some Puskesmas are being improved to enable them to take care of some of the patients," Paulus said.
The Prof. W. Z. Johanis Hospital, the only public hospital in the provincial capital, is treating hundreds of patients in the building's corridors due to the limited number of rooms.
F. Frank Touw, chief of the hospital's emergency unit, said the diarrhea had spread quickly.
"Most victims are children because they are quite easily exposed. Patients could die in a short time if first aid is not given," he said.
He did not identify the cause of the diarrhea but it is normally spread through contaminated water or food.
However, Paulus said the diarrhea only affected children under five.
"The disease is a virus that spreads through the air. Therefore, late treatment could lead to a quick death."
The Post observed that 117 patients, mostly children under five, were undergoing intensive treatment in the corridors of the three hospitals. Hundreds of others were being treated in the children's clinic at the hospital.
Last month, a similar outbreak occurred in the village of Tanini in the regency, claiming 14 lives.