“According to the monthly data in the past 10 years, the number of cases started to rise in November 2022, peaking in February this year. Dengue incidence is closely related to the rainy season cycle. The number of dengue cases rises with the arrival of the El Niño, which is related to rising temperatures, as the frequency of mosquito stings increases 3-5 times when the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius.
This year, we need to be extra cautious, as El Niño is scheduled to arrive in mid-2023. Since the start of the year, we have issued circulars to warn all Regional Governments to beware of spiking cases – and to firstly request that they deal with and manage vector mitigation, strengthen surveillance measures, and innovate by using vaccines alongside the environmentally-friendly and sustainable Wolbachia technique,” dr. Imran suggests.
During the same event, dr. Mulya Rahma Karyanti, Sp.A(K), M.Sc., pediatrics specialist from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, warns that the dengue can attack anyone, from children to elders. The primary dengue vector is the female Aedes aegypti mosquito, which needs human blood to lay their eggs.
“Mosquitoes prefer to sting in the morning and afternoon, around 08.00-10.00 and 15.00-17.00. The incubation period is 5-10 days from the time of the mosquito sting until symptoms appear. If a member of the family gets sick with the dengue, usually other members of the family are also infected,” she said.
“The symptoms most frequently appearing in children are: sudden high fevers lasting 2-7 days, headaches or dizziness, nausea or vomiting, stomach aches, and muscular pains. Other symptoms and indicators include diarrhea, hemorrhaging (bleeding gums, nose bleeds, or excreting blood), feeling weak or debilitated, hands and feet feeling cold and moist. As no cure is found yet for dengue, make sure that the child is sufficiently hydrated.
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Beware of the danger indicator on the third day, when the temperature drops. The patient must be referred to the hospital if they vomit constantly, suffer from a severe stomachache, bleed, excrete nothing for 4-6 hours, or suffer seizures,” dr. Rahma said.
Separately, Dr. dr. Anggraini Alam, Sp.A(K), Head of the Indonesian Pediatrics Society (Ikatan Dokter Anak Indonesia–IDAI) Infections and Tropical Diseases Coordinating Work Unit, declared that in view of its high fatality rate and treatment costs, we need a safe and effective dengue vaccine to reduce the severity of the disease and the risk of hospitalization. Vaccination is indicated to prevent infections of serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4 dengue virus, without any screening necessary. The vaccine is administered in two doses, in months 0 and 3, to people aged 6-45 years old. (est)
