Malaria sweeps Sepekan Island

SUMENEP, Madura: Malaria has killed one person and affected 284 others in Sepekan, an islet off the eastern tip of Madura.

Some 100 people have been hospitalized for treatment, the Antara news agency reported.

Chief of the local health office Muda'im said that the disease was first detected only a week ago and is spreading quickly.

A medical team consisting of four doctors from East Java has arrived to treat the victims and to counsel the local people on how to contain the spread of the disease.

The swamp surrounding the islet is believed to have provided a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes that cause malaria. (prs)