Diarrhea kills two, leaves 200 sick

KUPANG: A diarrhea outbreak has claimed two lives in Timor Tengah Selatan and Alor regencies, East Nusa Tenggara, with more than 200 others being treated for the disease.

"The Alor regency administration has declared the case an extraordinary incident because it has claimed lives. It will be handled by the relevant agencies," Nikodemus Turwewi, head of the Alor Health Agency, said Tuesday.

The victims are Musa Kolly, 45, a resident of Pandai village, Pantar district, Alor, and Yohanes Sole, 22, a resident of Sopo, village, Amanuban Tengah district, Timor Tengah Selatan. About 180 people from Alor and 40 from Timor Tengah Selatan are still being treated at hospital. Most of the patients come from impoverished families with limited access to clear water. - JP