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