Diarrhea blamed on tainted water

JAKARTA (Jakarta Post): Deputy Governor Prijanto said non-sterilized mineral water caused the diarrhea outbreak in North Jakarta.

He said the administration would take immediate action to check water refill stations in the area to curb the outbreak.

"Non-sterilized refill water contains viruses that cause diarrhea," he said at City Hall on Monday, as quoted by Tempointeraktif news portal.

Prijanto said the recent disruption of water supplies in the area forced residents to use bottled mineral water, which most drank without first boiling.

The administration and the city water company have set up kiosks selling clean water at Rp 1,800 per cubic meter.

According to the administration, the diarrhea outbreak in North Jakarta has infected 121 people and claimed eight lives. --JP