Over 200 diagnosed with diarrhea within four days in Banten

The number of people suffering from diarrhea in Lebak regency, Banten, has reached over 200 in four days, with one reported death from the disease.

“Previously the number of [those suffering from diarrhea] was 200, but now it is recorded to be 231,” Eha, a health officer in the Pasir Tanjung Village Health Post said Friday, as quoted by Antara.

Health workers from hospitals, community health centers (Puskesmas) and village health posts, were treating the villagers who caught the disease.

Eha said most of the patients in Pasir Tanjung had improved and were discharged.

The head of the Rangkasbitung Community Health Center, Budi Mulyanto, said the disease became widespread after residents ate food served at a wedding celebration on Sunday.

As many as 176 of those victims were from Desa Pasir Tanjung Village, Rangkasbitung subdistrict, while 41 were from Muara Dua village, Cikulur subdistrict.

One of the 41 from Muara Dua died after being treated in the Misi Rangkasbitung Hospital.

“I think if [the medical attention] was given too late, many would have died,” Budi said.