DHF Cases In Central Java Increase, Child Care Room At Rembang Hospital Is Full

Illustration of children in hospital treatment (ANTARA)

Entering the rainy season, cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) being treated at a hospital in Rembang Regency, Central Java began to increase.

The spike in dengue cases was considered significant, because until mid-January 33 cases were recorded. The majority of dengue cases are pediatric patients.

The dengue outbreak still has the potential to threaten residents because the mosquito carrying the dengue virus quickly reproduces during the rainy season.

Although there has been a decrease in the number of dengue patients being treated in the past month, it is now recorded that 17 patients are being treated at the Dr. R Soetrasno Rembang Regional General Hospital, Central Java, positive for dengue fever.

Head of Information at R Soetrasno Rembang Hospital, Tabah Tohamik, said that the spike in dengue cases in early 2024 at R Soetrasno Hospital, the majority of patients were dominated by toddlers and children.

As a result of the surge in dengue cases, the special room for the children of Dr. R Soetrasno Rembang Hospital, which was originally 24 full beds, 17 of which were dengue cases.

"January, dengue cases have increased, the capacity of the children's space is 24 full. In total, 17 dengue patients are handled properly, initial treatment will improve patient prognosis," said Tabah Tohamik, Tuesday, January 16.

Separately, the Head of Disease Prevention and Control of the Rembang District Health Office, Dr Maria Rehulina, explained that the data on dengue cases in January 2024 recorded 33 cases, which were dominated by children. Meanwhile, in the previous month in December 2023, there were only 19 cases of dengue fever.

"For January, there are 33 confirmed cases from the hospital report. Patients are dominated by children," he explained.

The significant spike in dengue cases in January 2024 was due to climate change from summer to rainy season which caused mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus to rapidly reproduce.

The Rembang Health Office also asked the public to be able to protect their respective environments by campaigning for 3M Plus, namely draining and sweeping, closing water reservoirs, and utilizing or recycling used goods to prevent mosquito bites and breeding.