Five children die of diarrhea

SEMARANG, Central Java: At least five children under five have died of diarrhea and 50 others have been hospitalized in Purworejo district over the past week.

Officials of the provincial office of health here said yesterday that they had taken precautionary measures to stop the epidemic spreading to neighboring regencies.

Chief of the Purworejo health office Harun Rusito said a team of paramedics had arrived with medical supplies, Antara reported.

"Most of those undergoing medical treatment at the Purworejo General Hospital are under five," he said.

He said local health authorities have suggested that residents sterilize their artesian wells to make sure that their water sources are not contaminated by bacteria from human waste. (01)