The speed of dengue handling is one of the keys to increasing the recovery rate and curbing the death rate. A thorough handling is needed to face a surge in dengue cases in several regions.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Regional governments must speed up dengue prevention and handling in their regions to curb mortality, Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Lestari Moerdijat said on Monday.

"The speed of dengue handling is one of the keys to increasing the recovery rate and curbing the death rate. A thorough handling is needed to face a surge in dengue cases in several regions," she added in a statement received from the MPR here.

She pointed out that as of late February 2024, the Ministry of Health has recorded 16 thousand cases of dengue across Indonesia and 124 deaths. The figures reflect an increase compared to the previous month, when the number of dengue cases reached 14,484 and the death toll stood at 111.

According to data from the ministry, there have been several causes behind the increase in dengue cases, including the change in weather and the fact that the dengue vector is yet to be brought under control.

Other causes have included the lack of burying, handling, and closing (3M) water storages in community.

Moerdijat said that vigilance, supported by appropriate policies, is needed to deal with the disease, which has been detected in Indonesia since 1968.

"The cycle of increasing dengue cases that occurs can actually be anticipated well," she opined.

She then asked the central and regional governments to take anticipatory steps by consistently encouraging the public to carry out the 3M measures and maintain the cleanliness of their living environment.

Massive dissemination of information regarding symptoms and anticipatory steps, if a family member is suspected of contracting dengue, are also deemed crucial so that first aid can be provided immediately and appropriately.

Moerdijat also expressed the hope that the government would carry out a thorough study to control and check the spread of dengue.

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Translator: Nadia Putri, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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