C. Lampung village hit by typhoid epidemic

JAKARTA (JP): Several dozen medics are waging a war against typhoid which has stricken over 375 people in just four-days in a small village in Jabong, Central Lampung.

Patients yesterday continued to pour into A. Yani hospital and makeshift health clinics. No deaths have been reported.

The first cases were reported last Thursday morning. Since then, more and more people have complained of having symptoms of typhoid.

The head of the local health office in the village of Sidorahayu, Maryanto, said on Sunday that the epidemic, which spread in a matter of days, was caused by the typhoid abdominalis strain.

He said the illness was largely spread by contaminated water in the village. "The disease is most prevalent in swampy areas," said Maryanto as quoted by Antara.

He explained that local residents still have the habit of disposing of their garbage in the nearby river.

During the dry season which the village is currently having, there is usually a shortage of water and thus the river water is absorbed by wells.

Maryanto added that the unsanitary conditions and the presence of rats all over the village exacerbated the situation.

"We are trying very hard to deal with the epidemic as quickly as possible. Apart from that we are also trying to teach the residents not to throw away their garbage in the river," he said.

Central Lampung officials said that additional medication has been sent to the village including chlorompanikol, parastamul and oralit. Due to the economic conditions of many residents there, the Central Lampung government office has said that medication for typhoid would be free.

Additional food supplies were also scheduled to be sent to the stricken village yesterday. (mds)