Dengue Fever Transmission Still High, 475 Dengue Fever Deaths Reported

Deaths due to dengue hemorrhagic fever reached 475 cases in Indonesia with 62,001 cases of illness.

KOMPAS/FRANS PATI HERIN

Dengue fever patients are being treated at the TC Hillers Maumere Regional General Hospital on Friday (28/2/2020) morning. Throughout this year, seven residents of Sikka have died due to dengue fever.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The public is advised to remain vigilant about the transmission of the disease dengue hemorrhagic fever. Cases of diseases transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito are still high. At least 475 deaths were reported due to dengue fever in 2024.

The Ministry of Health's report up to the 15th week of 2024 stated that the total number of deaths due to DHF was 475 cases. The highest deaths were reported in West Java (158 cases), Central Java (105 cases), East Java (37 cases), Banten (24 cases) and Central Kalimantan (17 cases).

Meanwhile, there have been reported cases of 62,001 dengue fever illnesses. The highest cases were in West Java (17,331 cases), Banten (5,877 cases), Central Java (4,330 cases), East Java (3,638 cases), and North Sulawesi (2,763 cases).

Also read: Deaths from Dengue Fever were Higher at the Beginning of This Year

The Head of the Communication and Public Service Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, stated in Jakarta on Thursday (18/4/2024) that cases of dengue fever transmission have been reported in almost all regions of Indonesia. At least dengue fever cases have been reported in 454 districts or cities and deaths have occurred in 151 districts or cities.

Therefore, the community is reminded to be vigilant of the risk of dengue fever transmission. Dengue control and prevention must continue to be carried out, including after the 2024 Eid al-Fitr homecoming season. "After the homecoming season, carry out movements to eradicate mosquito nests. This must be done starting from our homes because there is a risk of mosquito nests appearing during the homecoming period," he said.

Efforts to eradicate mosquito nests can be carried out through the 3M movement, which is draining water storage containers, closing water storage containers, and burying or recycling used items that can hold water. In addition, the public is asked to be more active in eradicating mosquito nests in their environment.

If symptoms of dengue fever such as high fever, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite appear, it is important to immediately seek medical attention. Prompt and accurate treatment can reduce the risk of worsening due to dengue hemorrhagic fever.

If symptoms of dengue fever appear, such as high fever, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite, it is necessary to immediately seek medical attention.

Nadia stated that although reports of dengue fever cases are still increasing, the availability of hospital beds is still in a safe condition. "Up until now, the bed occupancy rate in hospitals is still at 40 percent in general, for all illnesses. There has also been no significant increase in bed occupancy after the homecoming exodus," she said.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

One of the dengue fever patients underwent treatment at the Cengkareng Regional General Hospital (RSUD), West Jakarta, Wednesday (3/2).

Pediatrician specialist at Dr Sardjito Central General Hospital (RSUP), Yogyakarta, as well as lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University Yogyakarta, Eggi Arguni, in a press release, explained the population of the vector of dengue infection, namely mosquitoes Aedes aegyptiwill increase during the rainy season.

When it rains, eggs will hatch. As rainwater collects in various containers such as plastic glasses, used cans, old tires, and gutter dams, mosquito breeding places also increase.

Child

According to Eggi, the reported cases of dengue fever at the moment could potentially be higher than the reported numbers. This is because many people are infected without showing any symptoms. Usually, in such cases only mild symptoms, such as a mild fever, appear.

Also read: Death cases due to dengue hemorrhagic fever are dominated by children

Nevertheless, the community, especially parents, must remain vigilant against the transmission of dengue fever. Preventive efforts are highly necessary so that infected children can be promptly treated and avoid more serious conditions.

"In children who are symptomatic or show symptoms, we must suspect the dengue virus, especially when there is a sudden high fever that is continuous or persistent. "When they are given fever-reducing medication, usually the fever will not fall below 38 degrees Celsius," he said.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

The erratic rain this rainy season has caused dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases to rise sharply.

In addition, other symptoms that usually appear in children, such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, the appearance of bleeding spots on the skin, and a lack of cheerfulness in children. Children may also show different bodily responses compared to adults.

In adulthood, the body's response when infected with dengue fever can be accompanied by joint and muscle pain, while in children it cannot. This is because children do not yet have the ability to communicate the pain they feel.

"On the spectrum of severe dengue infections, when the number of platelets is already low, children may experience nosebleeds or bleeding gums when brushing their teeth," said Eggi.

Home treatment

Eggi conveyed that dengue patients with a still good bodily condition are usually advised not to be hospitalized. However, this is done on the condition that the child still needs to be taken to the hospital or health center every day during the critical phase. Monitoring of hematocrit and platelet levels will be carried out until the critical phase is passed.

During the home treatment period, children with dengue fever can be given fever-reducing medication in the form of paracetamol. Avoid other classes of drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This class of drugs can affect platelet function which can actually increase the tendency for heavy bleeding.

KOMPAS/IWAN SETIYAWAN

Fumigation was conducted in a housing complex in the Cinangka district of Sawangan, Depok City on Sunday (17/2/2019) to prevent the spread of dengue fever-carrying mosquitoes.

Another thing to take note of is ensuring that children receive sufficient water intake, keeping them at home to rest, and always being alert if emergency conditions such as stomach pain, vomiting, and bleeding spots on the skin occur. Take them to a healthcare facility immediately when these emergency conditions arise.

Also read: Prevent Dengue Fever during the Transition Period

Eggi added that parents must protect their children from dengue virus infection. Apart from eradicating mosquito nests inside and outside the house, parents can also make other efforts to prevent Aedes aegypti mosquito bites.

"Parents can also make efforts to prevent mosquito bites, such as by wearing bright-colored covered clothing or using repellents. When a child is infected with dengue, immediately recognize the symptoms and seek treatment at the nearest health facility," he said.