Dengue outbreak hits Padang

PADANG, West Sumatra: Dengue fever epidemics are reported to have hit the city of Padang and other regions in the province, claiming at least one life and hospitalizing several others.

Sources in the city said Arif, 6, of Balai Baru Sub-district, died on Tuesday of dengue due to belated medical treatment. Other residents, mostly children, were receiving intensive treatment in the city's hospitals.

Residents feared the epidemic would spread quickly and appealed to the local administration to take immediate action to curb the outbreak.

The communicable disease attacked at least 381 people and claimed seven lives during January to June this year. It is widely found in the province's capital Padang and some regencies, including Pesisir Selatan, Pasaman and Padangpariaman.

"It is the rainy season now and malaria and dengue fever always occurs in this season. But we have informed the public about this," Abdul Rival, the head of the provincial Health and Social Welfare Office, said. --Antara