Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang
Four children have now died in an outbreak of diarrhea in Tangerang regency, which has affected five districts.
Head of the communicable diseases prevention unit at the regency's health agency, Yuliah Iskandar, said Monday two children in Lebak Wangi village and another one in Sarakan village -- both in Sepatan district -- died of dehydration over the weekend.
The first death was of a 2-year-old girl, Noviana, on Thursday after being treated at a health clinic for several hours.
According to the agency, 487 people, mostly children, have been treated for diarrhea at public health clinics in Sepatan, Kedaung Barat and Pakuhaji districts.
The overwhelmed clinics have been forced to set up tents to accommodate all of the patients.
Members of the Pedicab Drivers Community have volunteered to help clean the clinics, which have been stretched to the breaking point by the outbreak.
While Regent Ismet Iskandar earlier blamed residents and their lack of understanding of proper sanitation for the outbreak, Yuliah said the outbreak was not caused by contaminated water used in their homes.
""We have examined water taken from the residents' wells and it is free from the Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae bacteria that have caused the outbreak,"" she said.
Patients interviewed by health agency officials, she said, consumed snacks and iced syrup beverages purchased from street vendors before falling ill.
""We have sent sample of the syrup for laboratory tests and we will announce the results as soon as possible,"" Yuliah said.
Based on information this outbreak may have been caused by syrup beverages, Tangerang Police have searched three factories operated by CV Citra Jaya, CV Mitra Jaya and CV Metro 88 in Sepatan.
Chief of detectives Insp. M. Rani Cholili said the operational permits of Citra and Mitra were expired, and that their products did not meet health standards.
""We have seized hundreds of bottles of the syrup and sent samples to the Food and Beverage Monitoring Center at the Health Ministry,"" he said.
The outbreak began early last week in Sepatan district, spreading to Sepatan Timur, Pakuhaji, Rajeg and Sukadiri districts.
The Tangerang regency administration has declared the diarrhea outbreak an ""extraordinary occurrence"" in the five districts.
In June 2005, a similar outbreak affected more than 1,000 people, killing 19.
