"In the last two years during the pandemic, the (number of) dengue fever cases had decreased. It might have been caused by the discipline of the people in cleaning and healthy living behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully, this was not caused by under-diagnosis," Acting Director of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control of the Health Ministry Tiffany Tiara Pakasi stated.
Speaking at the commemoration of the 2022 ASEAN Dengue Day that was followed online in Jakarta on Wednesday, Pakasi noted that until the 22nd week of 2022, as many as 45,387 dengue cases were reported from 449 districts and cities spread across 34 provinces.
Some 432 cases of mortality due to dengue were spread across 163 districts and cities in 31 provinces.
She later highlighted that the government was targeting to lower the number of dengue cases in Indonesia to be less than 10 cases per 100 thousand population in 2024 to zero-percent mortality rate in 2030.
Pakasi also outlined six national strategies to handle DBD, with the first one being strengthening effective, safe, and sustainable vector control.
The second strategy pertained to strengthening the surveillance system and extraordinary outbreaks (KLB), while the third approach involved strengthening comprehensive dengue management. The fourth strategy related to increasing community participation and independence.
The fifth approach involved strengthening the government's commitment and the participation of partners and multi-sectoral involvement. The sixth strategy was to utilize research development and innovation studies as the basis to determine dengue control policies in the future.
Pakasi stated that the community could take precautions by implementing the 3M plus program: Draining, Closing, and Reusing waste from used goods that have economic value.
Related news: East Java residents must remain alert for dengue: DPD Speaker
"The plus point is, for example, keeping fish to feed on the mosquito larvae," she pointed out.
Earlier, doctor from the Directorate of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control of the Health Ministry, Asik Surya, reminded people to keep an eye out for mosquitoes and their larvae in their respective homes.
"If there is one mosquito in the house, then there can be at least 100-200 larvae, and if left for another week, it can add to 200 mosquitoes. Please get rid of it," Surya emphasized.
Related news: Residents should remain vigilant of dengue fever: East Java governor
Translator: Zubi Mahrofi, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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