Dengue Fever Cases Increase Almost Threefold in the First Quarter of 2024

According to the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), the number of dengue fever (DBD) cases in Indonesia during the first quarter of 2024 (January-March) increased almost threefold compared to the same period last year.

"As of week 12 of 2024, the number of DBD cases reached 43,271, with 343 deaths," said Imran Pambudi, Director of Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (P2PM) at Kemenkes, as reported by Antara on Sunday (31/3/2024).

In January-March of last year, there were 17,434 DBD cases with 144 deaths.

Masdalina Pane, Head of Professional Development at the Indonesian Epidemiologists Association (PAEI), said that the current upward trend in DBD cases needs to be addressed with mitigation efforts from various parties.

"Actually, the increase in dengue cases has been occurring since November 2023 in several regions. But it seems we haven't been serious about controlling it, so the affected area has expanded and cases continue to rise," she said.

Masdalina stated that although the trend of DBD cases will naturally subside when the reproduction cycle of the Aedes aegypti mosquito returns to normal, this does not mean the current situation can be ignored.

"The main indicator of epidemic control is that cases do not increase and do not spread. If cases and deaths continue to increase, it means we have failed to control it, with considerable casualties," she said.

Masdalina urged local governments to pay attention to the development of DBD cases in their respective regions, even amidst the busy preparations for the regional elections.

"Don't let the community bear the consequences due to collective failures in early detection and response to this event," said Masdalina.