Medicine sent to stop measles

SEMARANG: The provincial health office has sent antibiotics, anti-virus medications and talcum powder to help combat a major measles outbreak in three districts in Kebumen.

Spokesman for the health office, Yunita Soewondo, said that most of the ill are children between six and 12 years old.

So widespread is the disease that the three districts said they have run out of medicines to deal with the patients.

Yunita said authorities have appealed to local people to remain calm, stressing that the disease is not fatal.

The main thing is to prevent it from spreading to other areas because measles is very contagious, she said. (emb)