“We’ve found 1,552 dengue cases based on reports from health agencies in regencies and municipalities across the province,” said the Jambi Health Agency’s disease control and environmental health department head, Kaswendi, on Tuesday. Fourteen of the total dengue patients died, he added.

Kaswendi said the high number of dengue cases in Jambi was caused by low public awareness on the importance of ensuring a clean house and environment, where mosquito larvae is less likely to rest.

He said dengue outbreaks hit its peak in the beginning of 2016, when rainfall also reached its peak.

“Flooded areas are common during the rainy season, causing a rapid spread of mosquitoes,” said Kawendi.

There were 530 and 469 dengue cases reported in January and February, respectively, ranking them on top as the months with the highest number of dengue cases.

Kaswendi said all people should protect themselves from the threat of dengue, especially during the rainy season, by among others things maintaining a clean environment.

(Read also: No more 'red' dengue clusters in Singapore)

He said the most effective measure to prevent dengue was by practicing the 3M approach, which comprises burying used cans, draining water tanks and covering water reservoirs to avoid having standing stagnant water open to mosquito breeding.

“There should be awareness from society to adopt a clean lifestyle,” said Kaswendi. (ebf)

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