Two people die in diarrhea outbreak

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Two people have died and 865 others have been hospitalized in the latest diarrhea outbreak in the Sumba Barat regency of the province's island of Sumba.

Deputy governor Piet Tallo was quoted by Antara as saying Monday that his administration had sent 52 medics to 16 affected villages.

Head of the provincial health office Agus Berek told the news agency that the outbreak was caused by collie bacteria transported by flies to villagers' food and water.

The news agency said the same plight was suffered by villagers in the regency of Timor Tengah Selatan. But there have been no reports of casualties so far, it said. (aan)