Seven die in diarrhea outbreak

PADANG, West Sumatra: Seven people have died and dozens hospitalized in an outbreak of diarrhea in seven villages in the Agam regency.

Head of the provincial health office, Firdaus Baharuddin, said on Monday that the epidemic began on June 5.

Several villagers sought medical treatment at their local community health centers. "But later the health centers could not accommodate the patients," Baharuddin said.

Antara reported yesterday that the Agam regency administration has set up five health posts for first aid treatment.

Patients from the worst-hit village of Puncak Lawang have to travel to the Ahmad Mukhtar general hospital in Bukittinggi, 25 kilometers away, for treatment.

Firdaus pointed to the people's lack of cleanliness as the main cause of the epidemic. (anr)