Declining Cases, Bintan Still Deploys Special Team To Prevent DHF

Illustration. Officers fogging residential areas to eradicate Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes that cause dengue fever. (Antara-Iggoy el Fitra)

KEPRI - The Government of Bintan Regency sent a special team to anticipate the transmission of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF). The team was dispatched despite the recent decline in dengue cases in Bintan.

"The Bintan Health Office has a special team tasked with making various efforts to prevent residents from contracting DHF. One of their duties is to disseminate the DHF eradication program to the islands," said Head of the Bintan Health Office Gama AF Isnaeni in Bintan, Riau Islands (Kepri), quoted from Antara, Friday 23 September.

Gama explained, the special team also practiced how to eradicate mosquito nests and prevent mosquitoes from being in the homes and surroundings of residents' homes.

He continued, there were 58 cases of dengue fever in Bintan from January to August 2022. While the highest number of patients in the period of May-June 2022 reached 37 people.

"August 2022 only five patients, relatively few compared to the previous month," he said.

Gama reminded that people with dengue fever, which is caused by a virus in the human body through the bites of the Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus mosquitoes, have the potential to increase as the weather changes.

Rain causes containers in and around the house to fill with water. The container will become a breeding ground for Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus mosquitoes if the water in the container is not removed.

Mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus, which causes dengue fever, can also breed in water-filled container.

"What should we do? Don't let our homes, the environment around our homes become mosquito breeding grounds," he said.

Gama said, eradication of mosquito nests needs to be done by draining water reservoirs such as bathtubs, buckets, refrigerator water reservoirs, and drinking water reservoirs.

Then the community also needs to close tightly the water reservoirs, and recycle used goods that have the potential to become mosquito nests.

In addition, he also appealed to the public to sprinkle larvicide powder on water reservoirs that are difficult to clean.

"Use mosquito repellent if needed," he urged.

For families who have children or babies, it is better to use mosquito nets while sleeping to make sure they are not bitten by mosquitoes.

People can also plant plants that mosquitoes don't like, such as lavender and citronella.

"Arrange the light and ventilation so that the house is not humid, and do not hang clothes in the house," he said.

Gama appealed to residents to bring their sick family members with symptoms of fever, rash, and muscle and joint pain. People who have these symptoms are likely to be infected with dengue fever so they must be treated.

"This disease can be cured if treated immediately," he said.