Dysentery kills five

AMBON, Maluku: Five residents of Kesui island in East Seram regency have died and dozens of others were treated at local community health centers on Wednesday after suffering from dysentery and vomiting.

Chief of Watubela, Kesui and Teor Islands' Community Union Dien Kelilauw blamed the poor medical facilities for the high number of fatalities.

"As of Wednesday, five have died," said Dien, who is also head of the state news agency Antara in Ambon, the capital of Maluku province.

He also complained of the Maluku government's lack of attention to the health of people in remote areas in the province. He added that the outbreak occurred a week ago but the government only sent doctors along with medicine on Wednesday.

Deputy head of Maluku provincial health office Fenno Tahalele confirmed that the office had sent doctors and other medical staff to the remote island, and he hoped that the outbreak could be quickly addressed. -- JP