Jakarta, IO – The Ministry of Health in 2023 reported a cumulative 114,720 dengue hemorrhagic fever (DBD) cases, commonly known as “dengue fever” with 894 deaths reported in 484 of the 514 districts/cities in Indonesia. This figure is 30% lower than the one recorded in 2022. However, in 2024, up to the 11th week, 35,556 cases with 290 deaths have been noted, higher compared to 2023, with “only” 15,886 cases and 118 deaths. Dengue fever was reported in 350 districts/cities in 24 provinces, with deaths in 92 districts in 15 provinces.
“There has been an unfortunate upward trend in dengue fever cases in January-February 2022 to 2024. In January 2022 the number of cases was 20,486, down to 12,502 in 2023, then rising to 21,616 in 2024. February 2022 from 11,849, down to 10,505 in 2023, up to 12,931 in 2024. The impact of climate change is altering the rain cycle. We have to be alert, because the weather is unpredictable. One day of heavy rain, followed by 3 to 4 days of heat, actually gives rise to more breeding places for the Aedes aegypti, the pesky little vector of dengue virus,” said dr. Imran Pambudi, MPHM, Director of Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, in the talk show #Ayo3MPlusVaksinDBD in Jakarta, Thursday (21/3/2024).
He added that this year dengue fever cases are predicted to increase, because global temperatures are predicted to be hotter and rainfall tends to be more frequent. “This year, mild La Niña is predicted, with frequent rains but rising temperatures. Hot temperatures, above 30 degrees, make mosquitoes bite 2.5 times more fiercely. In the case of dengue, vector control is very important. Eradicating mosquito nests with 3M – draining, closing, and recycling water reservoirs – must continue vigorously.”
The highest increase in cases up until the 11th week of 2024 was reported in Bandung City (1,301), Kendari City (1,195), West Bandung Regency (955), Bogor City (939), and Subang Regency (824). “The highest death toll was in Jepara Regency (20), Bandung Regency (14), Subang Regency (13), Kendal Regency (10), and Blora Regency (9). The quite high number of deaths in several areas in Central Java may be due to a coincidence with the flooding incident in Pantai Utara, which hampered access to health facilities,” he explained.
In the case of dengue, early detection can prevent the risk of death. The public is expected to immediately go to a health facility for examination and diagnosis if they experience symptoms including sudden high fever, muscle aches, severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and decreased appetite. If you feel any of these symptoms, you should immediately do a dengue NS1 antigen test to detect the presence of non-structural protein 1 (NS1), which is one of the proteins of the dengue virus.
“Dengue fever cases must be discovered as early as possible because there is no specific therapy to treat them – only fluid therapy. However, you must also be careful when administering fluids, because too much can cause pulmonary oedema. If dengue is discovered as early as possible, management can be more effective so that the risk of death can be avoided,” he added.
Developed Six Strategies
The government has developed six strategies for controlling dengue in Indonesia: strengthening vector management, increasing access and quality of dengue management, strengthening dengue surveillance, increasing sustainable community involvement, strengthening government commitment and partnerships, as well as developing studies, research, and innovation. Regarding innovation, the development of mosquito technology with Wolbachia bacteria in five cities (Semarang, West Jakarta, Bandung, Kupang, and Bontang) and a dengue vaccine has been carried out.
Read: Catch-Up Immunization Has Been Proven To Be “Safe And Effective”
In vaccine development, two dengue vaccines have received distribution permits from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), namely, the Dengvaxia and the QDenga. Dengvaxia vaccine for the 9-16-year age group, with three doses. Its administration requires initial screening regarding serological status. Meanwhile, the QDenga vaccine produced by Takeda for ages 6-45 years is given in two doses, with an interval of three months. The QDenga vaccine does not require initial screening, the price is around IDR 1.1 million for two doses.
On the same occasion, the President Director of PT Takeda Innovative Medicines, Andreas Gutknecht, stated that the dengue vaccine is hoped to help Indonesian people control dengue transmission, especially in prevention efforts. He quoted BPJS Health data that the cost for dengue in 2023 reached IDR 1.3 trillion. It is hoped that through the dengue vaccine, the burden of health costs that must be incurred to treat dengue can be further reduced. (est)