Mass fumigation for dengue planned

The Central Jakarta Health Office will carry out a mass fumigation in six districts the mayoralty in November for free to prevent the spread of hemorrhagic dengue fever in line with the increasing number of victims in the past six months.

At least 445 people, including five who were reported dead, have been infected by the disease in Central Jakarta.

Most of the victims hail from Kramat, Cempaka Putih Barat, Cideng and Joharbaru sub-districts.

The head of the mayoralty health office, Zulrasdi Djairas, said that the mass fumigation will be done in Senen, Joharbaru, Cempaka Putih, Sawah Besar, Tanah Abang and Kemayoran.

Zulrasdi said that November has been chosen for the mass fumigation because it should be done during a suitable period where the recorded cases of dengue are at a low point for the year.

"In November the number of aedes aegepty mosquitoes are usually registered at an all time low in a year so it is easier for us to kill them".

The spread of dengue is caused by aedes aegepty, which usually live in clean water in bathtubs and unused cans disposed of in yards. (yns)