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Use big data to fight dengue fever

Andrio Adiwibowo (The Jakarta Post)

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Jakarta

Sat, February 16, 2019 Published on Feb. 16, 2019 Published on 2019-02-16T10:47:24+07:00

Mosquito on human skin. (Shutterstock/File)

I

n 2014, Indonesia set an ambitious target of being dengue-free by 2020. However, it seems unlikely that the goal will be achieved unless the country makes a radical change to its strategy.

Dengue cases nationwide have increased significantly. The Health Ministry recorded 9,600 cases in January across 372 cities and regencies, with four declaring extraordinary occurrence: Kupang and West Manggarai regencies in East Nusa Tenggara, Kapuas regency in Central Kalimantan and North Sulawesi province. The outbreak has claimed over 176 lives so far.

The incidence rate has continued to grow this month, and additional regencies have reported an outbreak. With the rainy season predicted to last through February, more people may contract dengue.

Indonesia has been battling dengue for decades, but why does it return to haunt us every year? First, it has become habit to blame the weather (rainy season) as the primary cause of the mosquito-borne disease with a “business as usual” reaction.