Malaria plagues Jayapura, Cilacap

Malaria plagues Jayapura, Cilacap

JAKARTA (JP): At least 1,300 people in the Irian Jaya capital
of Jayapura and Cilacap in Central Java have been affected by
malaria.

Antara reported that Sarmi district in Irian Jaya was the
hardest-hit area, where some 1,100 residents were found on
Thursday to be in critical conditions by the Navy medical team
now on a civic mission in the province. Hundreds of others were
suffering from skin diseases or tuberculosis.

The team, led by Lt. Herry Ajisuwondo, provided medical care
for the sufferers and helped locals build roads, community
buildings and a church. They are also giving a short course on
agriculture.

In Cilacap, malaria was found in Kampung Laut district, where
200 people have been affected and two people have died. Regent
Herry Tabri and health officials visited the fishermen's villages
and gave out medicines on Thursday.

The regent said he found almost all people in Ujung Alang
village had been affected with fever caused by malaria.

He suspected that lack of awareness of sanitation had enabled
the disease to spread.

Cilacap is one of 11 regencies in Central Java listed as
vulnerable to malaria.(45)