Floods victims warned of diarrhea

Floods victims warned of diarrhea

SEMARANG, Central Java: Health authorities cautioned the residents of 21 regencies recently hit by floods of possible outbreaks of diarrhea.

Dr. Djaka Handaja, head of the local office of the Ministry of Health, told Antara on Thursday that many water sources have been contaminated during the floods.

"Please boil water before drinking it," he said.

He said he has instructed village health centers and clinics to monitor cases of diarrhea so that serious outbreaks can be prevented.

In addition, his office has also increased supplies of tablets for oral re-hydration, Oralit, to the clinics.

Another disease to watch for during the rainy season is dengue fever, he said. (swe)