Cholera claims 151 in Indonesia

2006-04-28 20:22

Wamena - A cholera outbreak in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua has killed 151 people in the last month and has made another 3 200 ill, says a health ministry spokesperson on Friday.

Sumardi said: "The latest report we received today shows that the death toll has reached 151." He said at least 3 200 people have been affected by the disease since early last month.

Berry Wopari, chief of the health office in the district's capital, Wamena, confirmed the new death toll and blamed contaminated drinking water and lack of awareness for the spread of the disease in the region, about 3 300km east of Jakarta.

Wopari said that more than a dozen health centres had been set up to cope with the outbreak, and that the situation was already under control.

Papua - one of Indonesia's most remote regions - both geographically and politically - was the scene of a decades-long separatist rebellion during which an estimated 100 000 had died - many through starvation or disease.

Foreigner had restricted access to the area, and it was not immediately possible to verify the health officials' claims.

Cholera was transmitted through contaminated water and was linked to poor hygiene, overcrowding and bad sanitation. Symptoms included diarrhea and vomiting, which could kill unless treated quickly.

- AP