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Warmer rainy season triggers dengue spike across Indonesia
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A doctor checks on the condition of a dengue fever patient at the Sunan Kudus Islamic Hospital in Kudus, Central Java, on March 8, 2024. (Antara/Yusuf Nugroho)
I
ndonesia has seen a significant increase in cases of dengue fever and deaths from the illness as the El Niño weather phenomenon causes a warmer rainy season across the country.
The Health Ministry recorded some 35,500 dengue cases nationwide from the beginning of January to March 18, with 290 deaths.
The figure is more than double that of the same period last year, when the country saw some 15,800 dengue cases and 118 deaths.
West Java accounted for the greatest number of cases by province with more than 10,400, followed by East Java with 3,600, Southeast Sulawesi with 2,700, Central Kalimantan with 2,300, South Kalimantan with 2,000 and Lampung with 1,700.
The increase in dengue fever cases overwhelmed hospitals in Kendari, the capital of Southeast Sulawesi, forcing doctors to treat patients in hallways.
Kendari accounted for 1,500 of the province’s 2,700 dengue cases and has recorded at least 10 deaths since January.
Several hospitals in West Java and Central Java are also reportedly struggling to cope with spikes in dengue patients.
