Jakarta (VNA) – The Indonesian Ministry of Healthreported a significant increase in the number of dengue fever cases compared tothe same period last year.
The ministry's spokeswoman Siti Nadia Tarmizi said there were 88,593cases logged in the first fourth months of this year, a threefold increase from the number of 28,570 recorded in the corresponding period last year.
The five districts and cities with the highest number ofcases are Bandung city (3,468), Tangerang district (2,540), Bogor city (1,944),Kendari city (1,658) and West Bandung district (1,576).
The number of deaths from dengue fever in Indonesia in thefirst three months of this year surged by 197% to 621, compared to 209 deathsrecorded in the same period last year.
The spokeswoman calledon local authorities to continue to raise people's awareness in implementingthe 3M policy to prevent dengue fever. It means that people must drain placesthat are frequently used as water reservoirs, cover water tanks and bury waste.
The ministry also ensured that medicalequipment, medicines and infusion fluids are available at medical facilities, she added./.