Global warming factors, including El Nino, which recently impacted Indonesia, have triggered the increase in dengue cases in the community.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Health Ministry stated that the rate of dengue cases in Indonesia doubled in March 2024 as compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.

"Comparing 2023 with 2024, there has been an increase in dengue cases, which was 15 thousand cases to 35 thousand (in 2024)," Head of the ministry's Public Communication and Services, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, stated here on Friday.

According to a report from the Ministry's Directorate General of Disease Prevention and Control, the number of dengue cases began increasing at the end of February 2024 when the case count was recorded at around 15,977.

The five districts and cities with the highest case count were Tangerang in Banten, West Bandung in West Java, Kendari City in Southeast Sulawesi, Subang in West Java, and Lebak in Banten Province.

Tarmizi remarked that the increase in the number of dengue cases was also followed by incidents of death.

"The mortality rate is also increasing, but it is not as high as the increase in cases," she pointed out.

The ministry reported that until February 2024, some 124 deaths were reported due to dengue fever.

Tarmizi stated that global warming factors, including El Nino, which recently impacted Indonesia, have triggered the increase in dengue cases in the community.

"Since the El Nino prolongs the rainy season, so dengue fever has increased," she remarked.

She also pointed out that the hot weather enables faster larval growth and reduces the time it takes for mosquitoes to reach adulthood, thereby accelerating their life cycle.

Tarmizi estimated that the increase in dengue cases will continue until its peak period in April 2024.

She remarked that the government has made various efforts to control the disease, such as by eradicating mosquito nests and conducting the movement of "one house and one mosquito larvae watcher."

In addition, the community is encouraged to grow and maintain mosquito-repellent plants and mosquito larvae-eating fish.

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Translator: Andi F, Kenzu
Editor: Arie Novarina
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