Govt warns of dengue outbreak

JAKARTA: Officials issued a warning on Monday over the possibility of a dengue fever outbreak in North Jakarta next month.

The head of the municipality's health agency, Aritha Herawati, told the City Hall's press publication Info Ibukota that Governor Sutiyoso planned to introduce a campaign against the Aedes aegypti mosquito -- the host of the dengue fever virus.

She failed to elaborate on why exactly officials were concerned over a possible outbreak in North Jakarta.

However, the government has repeatedly issued warnings ahead of the rainy season, which is expected to begin in September. The Aedes aegypti mosquito breeds during the wet season in standing water.

The City Health Agency has recorded about 18,000 cases of dengue fever this year as of May, with about 82 deaths, mostly children. -- JP