Dysentery outbreak kills 12 in Flores

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: An outbreak of dysentery has killed at least 12 people and affected hundreds of others in eastern Flores, an official says.

East Flores health agency head Eduard Kleruk said dysentery had affected six subdistricts in the regency, with East Adonara the worst-hit.

"In East Adonara alone, 11 people died from the disease and more than a hundred are still being given serious treatment," he said.

Many of the victims were babies and the elderly.

Kleruk blamed poor domestic sanitation for the outbreak. -- JP