Dengue on rise in E. Kalimantan

Dengue on rise in E. Kalimantan

BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: At least 11 people have died and
nearly 280 others have been hospitalized in the two largest
cities in the province this year due to dengue fever.

Balikpapan city administration spokesman Oemy Fascessly said
the three dengue-related deaths in the city occurred in May.

About 138 people have been hospitalized in Balikpapan.

He said administration officials with the help of the local
health office tried to increase awareness about the disease among
the over 350,000 residents of Balikpapan, including preventive
measures such as fumigation. However, the spread of the disease
continued to be alarming.

Meanwhile in the provincial capital of Samarinda, eight people
have died in the past five months, which also noted an increase
in the incidence of the disease.

Antara reported that the number of dengue patients rose from
six patients in January to 18 in February, 24 in March, 42 in
April and 57 in May. (mds)