Dengue outbreak feared in C. Java

SEMARANG, Central Java: Central Java health authorities are quickly taking steps to avert a dengue fever epidemic after six children died and another 140 have been treated for the potentially deadly illness in the last four weeks.

The six deaths occurred in Demak regency and greater Semarang area.

Head of the Semarang health office Hadi Wibowo said here Thursday many people had been admitted to hospital in the last week and he number is expected to rise next month.

He said the government had begun fumigation in several locations but admitted that the scope of the effort was severely limited by the administration's budget.

"That's why the active participation of the community at large is crucial to stop the spread of the disease," Hadi remarked. (har)