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diarrhea outbreak remains a threat in Keerom, Papua, as nine toddlers continue to be in treatment at the Kwaingga Hospital in Keerom since their admission on April 1. So far, 86 toddlers have suffered from the outbreak, one of them fatal.

“Until now, nine toddlers are still hospitalized, while the others have returned home,” hospital staffer Yunince Pabeno told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

He said that earlier 27 patients had returned home after receiving three to five days of treatment.

New patients are still arriving as of now. On Saturday, there were three patients and four on Sunday.

“Today, their admission was reported,” he said.

Thanks to the swift actions of the Kwaingga regional hospital and the parents of those affected, cases of the illness have dropped.

“Fortunately, everyone is working hard to prevent fatalities. Only one patient died because they were too late in receiving medication,” said Yunince.

Keerom Health Office Disease Control and Environmental Health section head Laomi said his office had taken measures to stop the outbreak.

“We have taken samples of feces and groundwater, which are currently being examined at the Regional Health Laboratory in Dok II, Jayapura. From submission, the results will be known in 10 days,” he said.