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)