Airborne virus killing in Kupang

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.