Malaria sweeps Sepekan Island

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)