Diarrhea epidemic goes out of hand

CIAMIS, West Java: Health authorities have been unable to control the diarrhea epidemic which broke out more than a month ago.

So far nine people have died and more than 2,000 have been hospitalized, Antara reported yesterday.

Some of the 12 clinics throughout the 90 stricken villages are unable to accommodate the influx of patients. Many of the sick people have to undergo medical treatment at home, the report said.

Head of the local office of health, Bunyamin Idjudin, acknowledged that the government was overwhelmed by the increasing number of people contracting the disease. (pan)