Dengue fever kills four in Tangerang

Dengue fever kills four in Tangerang

TANGERANG: Dengue fever has killed four people, including
three children, in Tangerang municipality over the last four
months.

According to data released by the municipal health agency,
only four residents had contracted the disease in January. But
during February and April, the number of people who came down
with the disease was 48, four of whom had died.

"Therefore, we call on residents to be alert as the number of
dengue cases usually increase between April and May," the
agency's director, Nuriman Machyudin, told The Jakarta Post on
Saturday.

He added that this year would see the peak of the dengue fever
cycle, which usually occurred every five years.

According to Dr. Lisa at the Tangerang General Hospital, the
deaths of all the victims was due to those affected seeking
treatment to late.

"Should there be any indication that someone has contracted
dengue fever, he or she must be taken to the hospital as soon as
possible," she said, adding that the disease attacked people of
all ages.

According to Nuriman, his agency had taken preventative
measures to reduce the number of dengue fever cases. These steps
included a campaign to teach people how to help eradicate the
disease.--JP