Five die in diarrhea outbreak

Five die in diarrhea outbreak

SERANG, West Java: Five people have died and another 70 have been hospitalized as diarrhea has hit the regency over the past five days, a press report said yesterday.

The Antara news agency identified the dead as Cicih, 10 months; Saripudin, 2; Suhari, 6; Saraf, 50; and Taman, also 50.

Doctors said the five could have been saved had they been admitted to the hospital earlier. They said that of the 70 people affected only six still remained in the hospital yesterday.

The worst hit were Karagilan and Kandayakan villages, the report said.

Serang regency officials said they were unaware of the epidemic and were expecting detailed reports. (pan)