Diarrhea affects 291 in Timor

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: At least 291 people have suffered from diarrhea-related dieases in South Central Timor, some 110 kilometers east of here, since breaking out early this month.

Head of the provincial health office, Markus Righuta, said Saturday he expected the figure to climb due to the prolonged rainy season in the remote regency.

"Persistent rains have caused the outbreak to affect at least two neighboring villages -- Bena and Oebelo," Markus said. The outbreak originally hit Toineke, Kiufatu and Tiufanu villages.

Markus denied a report from nongovernment organization activist Wires Herewila, who said the death toll had claimed 23 lives. "So far 10 people have died," Markus said.

He said four of the sufferers were receiving medical treatment at Panite community health center, while the others were prescribed medication from doctors and paramedics.

At least 6,000 people have been evacuated from villages with contaminated water supplies.