[Indonesia] East Nusa Tenggara's Sabu Island struck by malaria

from The Jakarta Post

Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang

Authorities are struggling to contain a malaria outbreak on Sabu island in East Nusa Tenggara, where 1,420 residents in five districts have been infected in recent months.

Herman Man, the head of the health office in Kupang regency, where the island is located, said Wednesday a medical team had been sent to the island to provide medical assistance and take blood samples from the infected.

"Health services are being provided in the five districts where the infections have occurred," Herman said, adding that most of those affected were children.

"I have not received any information from Sabu on the cause of the fast-spreading disease, or a breakdown on the number of people infected. Officers are still collecting the data," Herman said.

It was reported earlier that eight children under five years of age on the island have died of malaria during the past week.

The five districts affected by the outbreak are Raijua, West Sabu, East Sabu, Hawu Mehara and Sabu Liae.

Herman said the Kupang regency administration would distribute 6,000 mosquito nets free of charge to villages with the highest prevalence of malaria.

"Besides Sabu island, mosquito nets also will be distributed on Semau island," he said.

Herman said the regency health office also planned to station medical workers in isolated areas of Kupang, particularly the small islands that dot the regency.

"The medical workers will be deployed to provide care for sick residents who otherwise would probably not be able to receive treatment," he said.

Herman added that the health office had adequate stocks of malaria medication, but was running short of other medicines.