Diarrhea outbreaks strike three provinces

The Jakarta Post, Makassar/Semarang/Manado

Thousands of people in South Sulawesi, Central Java and North Sulawesi provinces have been treated for diarrhea over the past few months, with some succumbing to complications resulting from the condition.

In South Sulawesi province, at least 15 people have died of the disease as of Monday at several hospitals.

Local government data shows that over 6,200 people were treated for diarrhea between Nov. 1 and Nov. 22 in the province.

The deputy chief of the South Sulawesi health office, Muhadir, warned local residents that the problem could worsen in the next few weeks as the annual rains began to fall in some parts of the province.

Cumulative data has shown that the number of people treated for diarrhea generally surges during the rainy season.

People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) deputy chairman Aksa Mahmud, who is visiting the area, has called on local residents to raise their awareness of basic hygiene and sanitation in their homes to prevent further occurrences.

In Central Java, cases of diarrhea emerged in several areas three months ago, including Tegal, Solo and Semarang municipalities. Some 120 people have been treated monthly at Tegal's Kardinal Hospital, while Solo's Moewardi Hospital have also treated a similar number of patients every month. In Semarang, Tugurejo Hospital has treated about 40 people for diarrhea each month.

"However, we have not yet received any reports on fatalities," said Dr. Krishnajaya, head of the Central Java health office.

In North Sulawesi, one person has died and 150 others have been admitted to hospitals in South Minahasa regency since last Wednesday; almost all came from Tareran district.

Dozens of people were transferred to Bethesda Hospital in the neighboring city of Tomohon as South Minahasa hospitals could not accommodate any more inpatients.

Tareran district head J. Kondoy said some people had been released from the hospitals and were starting to return home.

The South Minahasa government has established several command posts to coordinate measures to help prevent a further increase in the number of people suffering the condition.

The government will also step up campaign efforts to raise people's awareness of the importance of clean food and water, generally thought to be the main triggers of the widespread cases.

Diarrhea can be caused by a number of different triggers, including bacterial or viral infections and gastrointestinal reactions to food or medication.

"To prevent fatalities, we have alerted all ambulances and health workers at all community health centers in the regency," said South Minahasa Regent R.M. Luntungan.