Epidemiologist Reminds People To Beware Of Dengue Fever When El Nino

Illustrations of Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF). (ANTARA)

PADANG - Epidemiologist and Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Andalas University (Unand) West Sumatra, Defriman Djafri, reminded the public to be aware of the threat of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) during the El Nino phenomenon. "From the El Nino cycle, there is also a change in the vector cycle itself (aedies aegypti), so it is necessary to watch out for it," said Defriman Djafri in Padang, Antara, Sunday, July 2. Defriman said that so far there have been quite a lot of people who think that it is wrong for DHF to only occur in conditions of humid or not too hot. In fact, there has been a change in the vector that causes dengue fever (aedies aegypti), for example, the ability to fly and breed mosquitoes even during the summer. "Don't assume that during hot weather or the El Nino phenomenon, capabilities or viruses will not develop," he said. The chairman of the Association of West Sumatra Epidemiologists said researchers also needed to conduct in-depth research on the reasons why the virus was still able to survive in hot conditions. "Because, it could be that the virus is comfortable in its host (smooth)," he said. Then, Defriman also encouraged researchers in the country to conduct research on whether the bite of the aedes aegypti mosquito was higher during climate change and the El Nino phenomenon compared to normal temperatures. Not only dengue, Defriman, who is a member of the Indonesian Association of Public Health Experts, said that the public also needs to be aware of the threat of other diseases transmitted through vectors such as malaria. "We need to be aware because there are several of these viruses that are already resistance to the weather or heat waves," said the graduate of Prince Songkla University. The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) is making efforts to at the same time urge the public to be aware of the spike in dengue cases due to the El Nino phenomenon or heating up sea level temperatures that cause weather conditions and dry climate. This effort is to expand the application of bisabachia technology (bacterial that can kill dengue viruses in the body of mosquitoes that cause dengue). Furthermore, mass eradicating mosquito nests, preparing logistics and health facilities. Then, the government also carried out guidance for Regional Disaster Management (DHF) working groups in the regions to be more alert, and finally provided education to the public regarding dengue fever.