Dengue cases down, city still on alert<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
While the number of dengue cases has decreased steadily in the
\ncity during the past few weeks, health officials say they are
\nstill on the alert for an extraordinary outbreak.<\/p>\n
"We are still waiving medical and hospital charges for third-
\nclass ward patients in 17 public hospitals around Jakarta, and
\ncontinuing our standard awareness campaign and sporadic
\nfumigation program," City Health Agency spokeswoman Evy Zelfino
\nsaid on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Evy said the city also continued to monitor schools, office
\nbuildings, and public places, to ensure they did not become aedes
\naegypti mosquito breeding grounds.<\/p>\n
Agency data shows 3,928 people have been infected with dengue
\nsince the beginning of January, with 26 dying from the illness.
\nIn the same period last year, more than 7,052 died of dengue.<\/p>\n
"Since entering week nine and 10 of this year, the number of
\npeople infected with dengue has been on the decline, although
\nthis decline is unevenly spread. Some districts still have an
\nincreasing number of dengue cases, like Pademangan and Palmerah
\nin Central Jakarta." Six more cases of the fever were found
\nthere this week, Evy said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, two hospitals in Jakarta they said they were
\nreceiving less dengue fever patients. Staff at Budi Asih hospital
\nin East Jakarta said they were now treating 32 dengue patients,
\ncompared with last week when they treated about 50.<\/p>\n
Tarakan Hospital nursing department head Atiyah said the
\noverflow of sick patients, which had been treated in hospital
\nhallways for the fever during the past few weeks, had now
\ndissipated.<\/p>\n
"As of today, we have 26 dengue patients, of which 16 of them
\nare children. Two days ago, we had 41 people with dengue. Even
\nthough the decrease is quite significant, still the hospital is
\non the alert for an expected increase of the infection," Atiyah
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
She said staff were also expecting an increase of people
\ninfected by tuberculosis and malnutrition.<\/p>\n
"Due to the fuel price hikes, the poor who have infections
\nsuch as tuberculosis or asthma, will lack proper nutrition and
\nmedication, which is costly. We have some of these cases
\nalready ... and we hope that patients don't have any problem
\napplying for the Gakin health assistance, which the government
\npromised to allocate to the poor from the fuel subsidy cuts."<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dengue-cases-down-city-still-on-alert-1447893297",
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