Two die in diarrhea outbreak

PURBALINGGA, Central Java: Two children under five years old have died and dozens of others have been hospitalized in the diarrhea outbreak in the Karangreja district.

Chief of the regency health office Hartono said yesterday the children died because they were admitted to the hospital only after their condition was so critical that doctors could not help them.

Hartono cited poor sanitation as the main cause of the epidemic.

Purbalingga regent Soelarno told The Jakarta Post that he is seeking free medication for those referred to government-owned hospitals. (wah)