Diarrhea hits dozens of North Acehnese

BANDA ACEH: Another person is dead and dozens of others are still undergoing intensive medical treatment as a diarrhea outbreak continues to grip North Aceh following recent flooding.

Muzakkir, a local public health center officer, said on Saturday twelve people were admitted to the Lhoksukon public health center.

"Everyday the Lhoksukon public health center is visited by dozens of the poor from remote villages in the regency," he said.

Ramlah, 40, a villager of Lhoksukon subdistrict located about 305 km east of here, died before she got medical treatment from the Lhoksukon public health center.

Muzakkir added the diarrhea outbreak was caused by poor- quality drinking water. "Generally, villagers are drinking water contaminated by the floods that hit the region several days ago," he said.

Four villages in Lhoksukon regency most seriously affected by the diarrhea bout are Meunasah Trieng, Meurabo, Batee Peuet and Cot Girek. --Antara