Diarrhea kills 2 in Agam regency

Diarrhea kills 2 in Agam regency

PADANG, West Sumatra: A diarrhea outbreak has spread quickly
across Agam regency in West Sumatra in the past few days, killing
two people.

Community health centers in Malalak district in Agam and
hospitals in the nearby town of Bukittinggi are now treating 39
patients suffering from diarrhea.

Health officials said two Malalak residents, Muncak Saulih,
62, and Kudun Marah, 50, died on Saturday due to severe
dehydration. Muncak had been admitted to Yarsi Islamic Hospital
in Bukittinggi, but doctors were unable to save his life.

Spokesman for Agam regency administration, Misran, said the
local government had sent medicine to the affected area and
intensified dissemination of information on measures to prevent
diarrhea. The government has also waived all charges for diarrhea
patients. -- JP