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AKARTA: The public’s heightened awareness about the use of mosquito nets and repellant has contributed to the decrease in cases of dengue fever the past three years.

According to data from the city’s health office, cases of dengue have declined sharply, to 3,731 in 2010 from 28,400 in 2008 and 18,000 in 2009.

“The new cases are expected to fall lower than that figure this year,” Governor Fauzi Bowo said Friday, as quoted by beritajakarta.com.

He also called on residents to continue fighting dengue fever by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and enhancing cooperation with government apparatus in subdistricts.

He also said the government would provide free medical services to dengue patients in private and state hospitals. — JP