Dengue fever outbreak could occur this year<\/p>\n
Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The number of people affected by dengue fever is expected to
\nincrease drastically this year, the peak of the five-year
\nbreeding cycle of the aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry the
\ndengue virus.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has the world's second highest mortality rate for
\ndengue fever after Thailand.<\/p>\n
During the last peak of the aedes aegypti's breeding cycle in
\n1998, 72,133 cases of dengue were reported nationwide with 14,114
\ndeaths.<\/p>\n
"The best way to avoid getting the virus is to clean, bury and
\ncover all things that could serve as mosquito nests," said Dr.
\nKhie Chen from the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
He said dengue fever was linked to unhealthy environments that
\nfavored the breeding of the mosquitoes.<\/p>\n
The doctor said places where mosquitoes frequently bred
\nincluded water reserves for bathing, water in flower vases and
\npots, air conditioners, water dispensers and wet laundry.<\/p>\n
He added that fogging to control the aedes aegypti population
\nwas essential.<\/p>\n
It was reported that in 2001 the government budgeted Rp 2
\nbillion (US$224,719) for fumigation to eliminate the aedes
\naegypti population, a figure far below the between Rp 9 billion
\nand Rp 10 billion experts say is needed.<\/p>\n
"We cannot entirely depend on the government, so prevention
\nmust start with individuals," said Khie, who specializes in
\ntropical and internal diseases.<\/p>\n
It is recommended that those bitten by an aedes aegypti
\nmosquito drink water mixed with salt and sugar to increase the
\nbody's electrolytes.<\/p>\n
Dengue fever was first diagnosed in Indonesia in 1968 during
\nan outbreak that affected several regions in country.<\/p>\n
About 18,000 people a year on average are infected with the
\ndengue virus nationwide, with about 700 to 750 deaths annually.<\/p>\n
The aedes aegypti mosquito, which can be identified by its
\nblack and white-striped legs, carries two viruses -- the dengue
\nvirus and the chikungunya virus.<\/p>\n
The two viruses often compete with each other for dominance
\ninside the mosquito.<\/p>\n
When the chikungunya virus is dominant in the mosquito, those
\nbitten will suffer from chikungunya. When the dengue virus is
\ndominant, the mosquito infects victims with dengue fever.<\/p>\n
The symptoms of dengue include a fever of more than 38 degrees
\nCelsius for between two and seven days, headaches, nausea and the
\noccurrence of red bumps on the skin.<\/p>\n
The incubation period after a person is bitten by the mosquito
\nis between eight and 10 days for adults and four to six days for
\nchildren.<\/p>\n
Dengue fever is one of the top killer diseases, especially
\namong children under the age of five, who account for
\napproximately 50 percent of the deaths from the disease.<\/p>",
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