Dengue claims 47 lives in two months

Dengue claims 47 lives in two months

JAKARTA (JP): Forty-seven have died of dengue fever in 14
provinces from August to September, according to the Ministry of
Health.

Quoting a report from the directorate general of eradication
of contagious diseases, a release made available here Monday said
there were 1,484 cases with 30 deaths in August and 514 cases
with 17 deaths in September.

In August the number of victims were five in East Java, four
in Central Java and in North Sulawesi respectively, three in West
Sumatra and three in Southeast Sulawesi, two in Yogyakarta and
another two in South Kalimantan. One person died in each of the
provinces of North Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, Jakarta, West Java, West
Kalimantan and East Kalimantan.

In September six died in Southeast Sulawesi, four in Jakarta,
two in North Sumatra and North Sulawesi respectively, one in
Jambi and another in Aceh, North Sumatra.

Director general Achmad Sujudi appealed the public to be on
the alert even though the nationwide figure for infections has
declined.

"During this season of transition (from drought to rainy
season), rains fall irregularly, which leads to the possibility
of rainwater left in pipes or among used items ... places where
the aedesaegypti mosquito lays its eggs," the release from Budhi
Yahmono, the ministry's public relations officer said. The
mosquito lays its eggs in clear, still water.

He said figures have declined compared to April and May. In
April there were 18,935 cases with 317 deaths while in May, 175
died from 15,451 affected people.

"We appeal to the public to continuously conduct preventive
measures," Achmad said. These include covering all potential
places which collect water, including the open parts on top of
bamboo fences and in old tires. (anr)