Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – The Indonesian Health Ministry aims to reduce cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in the country, currently averaging 20-50 cases per 100 thousand people, to 10 cases per 100 thousand, with zero deaths by 2030.
During the launch of the dengue fever prevention campaign in Jakarta on Wednesday, the ministry’s Director General of Disease Prevention and Control, Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, emphasized the need for all sectors to focus on combating DHF cases.
He pointed out that Indonesia is experiencing climate change, which could increase the incidence of seasonal diseases like dengue fever, malaria, and Zika.
Hence, the ministry has introduced a National Strategy for Dengue Mitigation, which has successfully reduced the case fatality rate (CFR) of dengue cases in Indonesia to below one percent.
“However, in some regions, the CFR is still above 50 percent. We need to redouble our efforts in tackling cases of dengue fever,” Rondonuwu remarked.
He noted that communities can also contribute by taking action to combat DHF, such as cleaning up mosquito breeding sites through the 3M Plus Movement.
The 3M movement involves draining and sealing water reservoirs, as well as recycling various items that could potentially serve as breeding grounds for the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which carries the dengue virus in humans.
In addition, vaccination against dengue fever is recommended to prevent severe cases from occurring, he added.
“The vaccine is effective and has received approval from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM). The public can now access the dengue fever vaccine,” he stated.
Rondonuwu urged the public to carry out the 3M Plus Movement in order to achieve the target of reducing the number of DHF cases by 2030.