Riau Issues Dengue Fever Alert Amid Rising Cases

The Riau Provincial Government has issued a circular to district and city health offices urging heightened vigilance and control measures for dengue fever (DBD) as cases rise across the province.

Riau Health Department Head Zulkifli stated that DBD is an infectious disease caused by the Dengue virus, transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. It remains a significant public health issue in Indonesia, with high mortality rates and potential to trigger outbreaks or health crises.

“Riau recorded 4,618 confirmed DBD cases and 35 deaths in 2025,” he said on Monday (25 May). “As of week 17 in 2026, the Early Warning and Response System (SKDR) reported 2,321 suspected dengue cases, while the DBD programme recorded 1,682 confirmed cases across 12 regencies and cities, resulting in 12 fatalities.”

Anticipatory measures include continuous public education, year-round mosquito breeding site elimination (PSN 3M Plus) in dengue and chikungunya-endemic villages and urban areas, and enhanced early detection through strict monitoring of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) availability at health facilities.

“If patients present with high fever (38°C) for two days, they must undergo RDT Dengue testing (including DBD Combo), alongside hematocrit, haemoglobin, leukocyte, and platelet checks,” he added. “Those with severe joint pain (arthralgia) or rash should also be tested for chikungunya.”

Health workers are required to identify DBD danger signs, typically occurring between days three and seven of fever when body temperature drops below 38°C (100°F).

The highest number of cases from January to April 2026 were in Rokan Hilir Regency (282 cases, four deaths), followed by Pekanbaru City (251), Bengkalis Regency (230, one death), Dumai City (208, one death), Kampar Regency (165, three deaths), Rokan Hulu (98, one death), Pelalawan (72), Indragiri Hulu (80, one death), Kuantan Singingi (130), Siak (50), Indragiri Hilir (81, one death), and Kepulauan Meranti (35).