Dengue fever outbreak could occur this year
Dengue fever outbreak could occur this year
Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The number of people affected by dengue fever is expected to
increase drastically this year, the peak of the five-year
breeding cycle of the aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry the
dengue virus.
Indonesia has the world's second highest mortality rate for
dengue fever after Thailand.
During the last peak of the aedes aegypti's breeding cycle in
1998, 72,133 cases of dengue were reported nationwide with 14,114
deaths.
"The best way to avoid getting the virus is to clean, bury and
cover all things that could serve as mosquito nests," said Dr.
Khie Chen from the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital on
Thursday.
He said dengue fever was linked to unhealthy environments that
favored the breeding of the mosquitoes.
The doctor said places where mosquitoes frequently bred
included water reserves for bathing, water in flower vases and
pots, air conditioners, water dispensers and wet laundry.
He added that fogging to control the aedes aegypti population
was essential.
It was reported that in 2001 the government budgeted Rp 2
billion (US$224,719) for fumigation to eliminate the aedes
aegypti population, a figure far below the between Rp 9 billion
and Rp 10 billion experts say is needed.
"We cannot entirely depend on the government, so prevention
must start with individuals," said Khie, who specializes in
tropical and internal diseases.
It is recommended that those bitten by an aedes aegypti
mosquito drink water mixed with salt and sugar to increase the
body's electrolytes.
Dengue fever was first diagnosed in Indonesia in 1968 during
an outbreak that affected several regions in country.
About 18,000 people a year on average are infected with the
dengue virus nationwide, with about 700 to 750 deaths annually.
The aedes aegypti mosquito, which can be identified by its
black and white-striped legs, carries two viruses -- the dengue
virus and the chikungunya virus.
The two viruses often compete with each other for dominance
inside the mosquito.
When the chikungunya virus is dominant in the mosquito, those
bitten will suffer from chikungunya. When the dengue virus is
dominant, the mosquito infects victims with dengue fever.
The symptoms of dengue include a fever of more than 38 degrees
Celsius for between two and seven days, headaches, nausea and the
occurrence of red bumps on the skin.
The incubation period after a person is bitten by the mosquito
is between eight and 10 days for adults and four to six days for
children.
Dengue fever is one of the top killer diseases, especially
among children under the age of five, who account for
approximately 50 percent of the deaths from the disease.