1,288 Mukomuko People Become Suspected Malaria Throughout 2022, But...

Illustration of malaria. (Photo via Antara)

MUKOMUKO - A total of 1,288 residents spread across 15 sub-districts in Mukomuko Regency, Bengkulu Province, allegedly or "suspected" malaria during 2022. This is based on data held by the local Health Service (Dinkes).

"In 2022 there were 1,288 residents suspected of having malaria, but none of the residents tested positive for malaria based on the results of rapid tests or laboratory tests," said Head of the Mukomuko District Health Office, Bustam Bustomo, as quoted from Antara, Saturday, January 7.

He said the number of local residents suspected of having malaria in 2022 decreased compared to 2021 as many as 1,439 people.

According to him, the number of residents affected by malaria in 2022 has decreased because Mukomuko Regency is one of the regions in Indonesia that has been declared malaria-free.

He said, of the 1,288 residents suspected of having malaria in 2022, the most were in the Kalimantan area, Teramang Jaya District.

For this reason, he said, this year's malaria prevention activities focused on the rest of the region by conducting migration surveys and synthetic surveys so that the special location of mosquito longing could be known as soon as possible.

He also asked the community to eradicate mosquito nests (PSN) to prevent malaria in their respective neighborhoods.

"We ask residents to do PSN even though there have been no residents who have tested positive for malaria since the last few months," he said.

The Health Office appealed to sub-district heads, village heads, to RT and the entire community to prevent transmission of this disease.

He mentioned clinical symptoms of malaria, namely chill fever, dirty white tongue similar to type symptoms.

Many residents are only suspects but are not positive for malaria because this person cannot be diagnosed with malaria because he must be tested for malaria parasites. It was not only tested positive for malaria once but many times, said Bustam Bustomo.