West Java set for worst outbreak of dengue fever<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Bandung<\/p>\n
An outbreak of dengue fever claimed 19 lives in West Java in
\nthe month of January alone, a health official in the provincial
\ncapital of Bandung said.<\/p>\n
The toll was compiled from 24 regencies and municipalities in
\nWest Java, said Fatima Resmiyati, West Java health office
\nenvironmental bureau head Fatima Resmiyati said.<\/p>\n
She said the death toll was almost certainly higher than 19,
\nas her office continued to seek data in the months after January.<\/p>\n
"So far we have only registered cases in January and we found
\nthat 19 have died," Fatima told The Jakarta Post on Monday.<\/p>\n
Her office has recorded 417 cases of dengue fever, spread by
\nthe Aedes aegypti mosquito.<\/p>\n
Its spread had reached worrying levels, Fatima said, adding
\nthat the regencies of Subang, Depok, Indramayu and Cirebon had
\nregistered 12 deaths.<\/p>\n
She said the last outbreak, following a five-year cycle,
\noccurred in 1998, when dozens died.<\/p>\n
Fatima said most of the deaths were the result of people
\nseeking medical treatment too late.<\/p>\n
The death toll was highest among the poor, those who were most
\nreluctant to seek medical help, she said, adding that her office
\nplanned to provide free treatment for the poor.<\/p>\n
Health officials have also warned of an outbreak in Jakarta
\nthis year, with 443 cases but no deaths reported so far.<\/p>\n
In South Sulawesi dengue fever has already killed 23 and
\nhospitalized 546 others this year.<\/p>\n
Besides dengue fever, West Java is facing the similar but non-
\nlethal chikungunya disease, carried by the Aedes albopictus
\nmosquito. Experts said chikungunya followed a 20-year cycle,
\nwhich explained why most people were unfamiliar with it.<\/p>\n
Fatima said the disease had so far affected 400 people in the
\nprovince. Its characteristic symptoms include pain in the joints
\nor muscles and fever.<\/p>\n
"Chikungunya is relatively safe, it doesn't lead to death,"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
Efforts to fight both diseases is limited to fumigating, which
\nmay cause the mosquitoes to become immune to the chemicals.<\/p>\n
Health officials urged the public to drain or cover water
\nwhere both types of mosquitoes breed.<\/p>\n
Health Minister Achmad Sujudi has said that his ministry
\nneeded Rp 1.6 trillion (around $180 million) to effectively
\nexterminate the Aedes albopictus mosquitoes this year.<\/p>\n
The budget would cover 70,000 villages across the country, and
\nalso include programs to eradicate other communicable diseases
\nlike dengue fever, leprosy, malaria and tuberculosis, officials
\nsaid.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/west-java-set-for-worst-outbreak-of-dengue-fever-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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