"All those affected have been declared outpatients," the head of the Surabaya health service, Esty Martiana Rachmie, said to media persons here on Tuesday.
The patients, who are suffering from skin burns and blisters, have been treated at 13 sub-district health care centers.
She said that with the cooperation of the agriculture service, anticipatory measures have been taken to stop the spread of the poisonous insects to other areas.
"We have also conducted an information campaign for the public with regard to the insects," she added.
Esty noted that most people do not know what to do when they are bitten by tomcats. "They usually hit the insect causing it to excrete a poisonous fluid that causes burns and blisters on the skin," she said.
She mentioned that she has ordered the staff of health care centers to ask patients to report to the agriculture service if they find the insects in their homes.
Esty said the insect bites could be treated with anti-infection and allergy medicines.
The secretary of the city`s agriculture service, Hari Tjahyono, said his service has conducted eradication efforts by spraying the animals with a non-chemical insecticide.
"We have even sent 10 workers at night to deal with the problem at affected places," he said.
He called on the people not to panic and to immediately report to the local agriculture service when they find the insects.
"When they are bitten by the insects they must immediately cleanse the affected area with soap, but when the affected area is burned and blistered then they must go to the health care centers for treatment," he added.
(T.A052/H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
