Tangerang Health Office Calls For Joint Action To Prevent Malaria Transmission

Illustration, anopheles mosquito (vector of malaria parasitic carriers). (ANTARA/HO-private documentation)

JAKARTA - Malaria is a dangerous disease caused by parasites and is transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. This disease can cause serious complications and even fatal if not treated immediately.

The Tangerang City Health Office appealed to the public to play an active role in preventing the spread of malaria by taking appropriate preventive measures.

Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division of the Tangerang City Health Office, dr. Yumelda Ismawir, reminded that although malaria can be prevented and treated, late treatment can risk causing death.

"It is important to immediately get the right treatment so as not to be at a fatal risk," he said at a meeting in Tangerang on Sunday.

Dr. Yumelda also revealed several preventive measures that can be taken by the community, including the use of mattresses while sleeping, wearing clothes that cover the body, and taking anti-malarial drugs according to the advice of doctors, especially for those traveling to malaria endemic areas.

In addition, cleaning the environment around the house from puddles also helps greatly reduce the breeding ground of mosquitoes that become vectors for the spread of malaria.

The Tangerang City Government through 39 health centers in its territory continues to strive to reduce the number of malaria cases. Indonesia, as a tropical country, still has a fairly high level of malaria cases, so maximum prevention efforts are very important.

Malaria cannot be directly transmitted between humans, so vector or mosquito control is the main key in prevention. "Let us all participate in preventing the spread of malaria by keeping the environment clean and taking appropriate precautions in their respective homes," said dr. Yumelda.