Jakartans warned of possible dengue outbreak

City residents have been warned of a possible dengue fever outbreak this year during the transitional period between the dry and wet sessions, when dengue is normally at its most prevalent.

"Although the data from the hospitals does not show any increase in the number of dengue fever cases so far, we need to be alert," Jakarta Health Agency spokeswoman Zelvino told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Citing data collected from all hospitals across the capital, Evy said that the total number of patients coming down with dengue fever from January to Oct. 13 stood at 15,795, while the number of fatalities was 74.

In October up to Wednesday, according to Zelvino, 642 patients had been treated in a number of hospitals, as compared to 1,902 in August, 2,525 in July, 1,352 in June and 1,472 in May.

The matron of the city-run Budhi Asih Hospital in East Jakarta, Mariani, said on Thursday that 13 new dengue fever patients had been admitted to the hospital since Wednesday, while nine patients had been discharged in the same time period.

The hospital was currently treating 32 dengue fever patients -- 16 adults and 16 children. Of these patients, six had been accommodated in extra beds, while two were placed in the corridor.

Mariani said that 1,622 dengue fever patients had been treated in the hospital since January. The largest number of cases occurred in August with 290 patients.

Zelvino reminded the public to pay attention to environmental hygiene so as not to give an opportunity for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to breed.

Therefore, she urged people to take part in the 30-minute anti-dengue fever cleanups held in neighborhoods every Friday at 9 a.m. -- JP