Rise in dengue cases blamed on weather, poor sanitation

The number of dengue cases in Bali has shot up to 10,300 this year, resulting in 29 deaths.

Bali Health Agency head Nyoman Sutedja said the highest number of reported infections were in Denpasar with 3,716 cases, followed by Badung regency with 2,885 cases and Buleleng with 1,780 cases as of early November.

He said only 0.28 percent of the island’s population were affected by the disease.

Bali administration spokesman I Ketut Teneng said dengue affected 161 out of every 100,000 people in 2009, a decrease from 181 out of every 100,000 people previously.

“It is expected that we can cut the prevalence rate to 80 per 100,000 people this year. The central government has set an ambitious target to reduce it to 20 per 100,000 people,” Teneng said.

He added that local authorities had allocated Rp 5 billion to provide healthcare facilities and to implement mosquito eradication programs in the island’s eight regencies.

It is feared that an increase in the number of dengue cases could hurt the island’s robust tourist industry.

Extreme weather, poor sanitation and environmental conditions are to blame for the rise in cases, Sutedja said. Buleleng Health Agency head Made Pustaka said he was surprised to see an increase of dengue cases in his regency.

Six regional hospitals and community centers operating across Buleleng have been prepared to admit patients showing symptoms of dengue fever. Buleleng Hospital alone treats around 200 dengue patients every day.

Hospital director Nyoman Mardana said that in addition to medical intervention, several community-based prevention programs had to be implemented comprehensively.

Education and advocacy programs are also important to increase public awareness of the dangers
of dengue.

“Fumigation, mosquito eradication programs and cleaning up villages are some of the preventive actions we can take to reduce the cases of dengue,” Pustaka said.