C. Lampung village hit by typhoid epidemic

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)