Dengue, malaria feared in Manado

MANADO, North Sulawesi (JP): Local health officials here warned that the province could be in the grip of an epidemic of dengue and malaria fever.

The head of the contagious diseases eradication unit at the local health office, Soetjipto, expressed concern on Saturday at the increasing number of patients being treated for the diseases in the past few months.

The provincial capital, Manado, was identified as the area most prone to the spread of malaria because of its location near marshland.

Of 529 cases of malaria recorded in the province this year, 413 occurred in the city.

The spread of dengue fever has been recorded in all areas of the province, he said.

Spread of the diseases would be expedited if members of the public failed to recognize the need to make proper sanitation and hygiene part of their lives. (04)