Dozens treated for diarrhea

PADANG, West Sumatra: More than 100 residents of Jurai district, Pesisir Selatan regency, sought medical treatment during an outbreak of diarrhea in their area, Antara reported yesterday.

A total of 35 people were hospitalized, while 79 others were briefly treated and released, said Dr. Firdaus Bahauddin of the local health office. Firdaus said a team of health workers was dispatched to the stricken area to provide local people with immediate help.

The team treated the residents' wells, as contaminated water was suspected as the cause of the outbreak.

Diarrhea has also hit villages in the Koto Baru district, killing one elderly villager. (swe)