Three W. Sumatrans die from diarrhea

Three W. Sumatrans die from diarrhea

PADANG, West Sumatra: Three people have died and 97 others have
been hospitalized for acute diarrhea over the past three weeks in
Lima Puluh Kota regency, West Sumatra.

Sumirman Noerman, head of the regency's health office, said
most of the patients were admitted to the hospital a few days
before Idul Fitri, which fell on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15.

Government officials have taken water samples from the wells
of those afflicted and from the supply at the local tap water
company to test for contamination by bacteria that could have
caused the condition, said Sumirman. -- JP