DHF And Malaria Outbreak Emergency, Eight People Died In South Nias

JAKARTA - Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and malaria spread across South Nias Regency, South Sumatra Province, from January to July 2024.

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of South Nias Regency detailed that at least seven sub-districts were affected, including Batu Islands, East Batu Islands, West Batu Islands, North Batu Islands, Simauk, Land of Masa and Hibala.

"Within the seven months, approximately 562 residents have been infected. Eight people died, and 554 other residents have been treated and declared cured of the malaria outbreak," said Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari, Thursday 15 August.

Abdul said, as a form of emergency response effort, the South Nias Regency Government has established an Emergency Response Status for Non-natural Disasters for Extraordinary Malaria and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever with Number 100.3.3.2/639/2024 for 14 days until August 23, 2024.

He said the South Nias Regent had also formed an Emergency Management Command System for Non-natural Disasters, Extraordinary Malaria and Dengue Fever, which was stipulated through a letter numbered 100.3.3.2/646/2024 on August 9, 2024.

"On this decision, forkopimda elements throughout South Nias Regency routinely carry out assessment and rapid assessment efforts in locations that are the red zones for the outbreak of the two diseases," explained Abdul.

BPBD South Nias Regency continues to coordinate with the local Health Office to take strategic and integrated steps.

In addition, the Health Office has also issued extraordinary incident status and carried out patient handling through health service centers.

On the other hand, the sub-district government together with muspida have continued to intensify cooperation in cleaning the environment as a form of mitigation and anticipatory.

Currently, the disease outbreak caused by the protozoa parasite which is transmitted through the bite of aedes aegypti and anopheles mosquitoes is still lurking most of the people of South Nias.