Eight Indonesians die from post-flood diarrhea outbreak

Jakarta (dpa) - An epidemic of diarrhea, caused by unhygienic conditions after two weeks of flooding in Indonesia's capital Jakarta, has claimed eight lives, including six children, a news report said on Monday.

The diarrhea victims included two adults and six children under five years old, said the Suara Pembaruan afternoon daily.

Another 392 children are suffering acute diarrhea in the city, many sections of which remain underwater.

Heavy and continuous rainfall that started on January 26 virtually swamped Jakarta for two weeks, forcing 400,000 people to flee their homes and claiming at least 40 lives in flood-related deaths.

Now, in the aftermath of the floodwaters, disease is claiming its toll.

dpa pj vb

Copyright (c) 2002 dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
Received by NewsEdge Insight: 02/11/2002 06:42:48