Ten die of malaria in East Lombok

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: A malaria outbreak has claimed 10 lives in Batunampar village, East Lombok, since July 13, a health official said on Wednesday.

"Another 97 people have tested positive for malaria," said Sejarah, who is the spokesman for Sukaraja public health center in Batunampar.

West Nusa Tenggara Governor H. Harun Al Rasjid has expressed concern over the death toll.

He instructed the provincial health service to send officials to villages hit by the mosquito-borne disease and spray the areas as an initial step to overcome the outbreak.

Some residents said most of the victims who died were late in seeking medical treatment.

Batunampar, a fishermen's village, is home to about 250 families. (49)