Dengue may rise over dry season

Dengue may rise over dry season

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

An official with the City Health Agency warned residents of a
possible increase in the number of dengue fever cases during the
current transition period from the rainy season to the dry
season.

"The transition period is a time for mosquitoes to breed
because the rain comes irregularly. Therefore, we must keep alert
for a possible increase in dengue fever cases," Evy Zelfino, the
agency's spokeswoman, said on Monday.

Evy said irregular showers led to puddles that were ideal
places for the Aedes aegypti mosquito -- which transmits dengue
-- to lay eggs. However, when rain is continuous, there is a
better chance the mosquito eggs will be swept away and killed.

She urged residents to remain vigilant in combating the
disease, emphasizing the importance of 3M -- draining open tanks,
covering clean water and burying used cans, all of which are
breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito can be identified by the black and
white stripes on its legs.

The symptoms of dengue fever include a fever of more than 38
degrees Celsius that lasts between two and seven days, headaches,
severe joint pain, nausea and skin rashes.

The incubation period for the disease is between eight and 10
days for adults, and four and six days for children.

According to the health agency, 3,541 people have been
hospitalized in Jakarta with dengue since early this year. The
number of deaths caused by the disease was 77 as of March 27.

Evy reiterated that Jakartans should not forget that dengue
fever is endemic to the city, and could occur anytime of the
year.

The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) said on Monday
that Jakarta and the surrounding areas were entering the
transition period between the rainy season and the dry season,
which would last about two months.

The BMG's forecasting and services division chief, Achmad
Zakir, told The Jakarta Post this transition period would be
marked by storms and higher-than-normal temperatures of up to 35
degrees Celsius.

Evy from the health agency said that besides dengue fever, the
city could experience an increase in other diseases as well,
including respiratory disease.

"Residents should also be on the alert for infectious diseases
like typhoid fever and diarrhea while the city enters the dry
season," she said.