Diarrhea hits Kupang city

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Some 30 Kupang residents, mostly children, have been affected by an outbreak of diarrhea.

Many of the victims sought treatment at WZ Johannes Hospital, leaving the facility overwhelmed and unable to cope with the rush of patients.

"There are no more beds left at the hospital. People with diarrhea have to go home after receiving treatment," said a nurse at the hospital who asked not to be identified.

Most of the sufferers, she said, were babies and young children.

Agus Seran, a 40-year-old resident of Oeba district in Kupang, said on Monday his 11-month-old son Gabriel had been treated at the hospital since Wednesday.

Other people have sought treatment for diarrhea at community health centers across the city. -- JP