Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Chair of the Indonesian Association of Occupational Medicine Specialists (PERDOKI), Astrid B. Sulistomo noted that more than 1,000 Indonesians have died from dengue fever in 2024. Dengue fever cases increases over the year and remains an issue in Indonesia.
According to CNN Indonesia, Astrid noted that as of the 38th week of the year, dengue-related deaths in the country had reached 1,161. “The year isn’t even over, yet the death toll has already surpassed 1,000,” she said during the Synergy Action Against Dengue event at the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta on Wednesday, November 20.
Astrid acknowledged that the spread of dengue fever remains a persistent issue in Indonesia, with cases continuing to rise annually. “Dengue fever in Indonesia peaked in 2016, then saw a decrease in 2017 and 2018. Unfortunately, that decrease wasn’t sustained, and now cases are rising again,” Astrid said.
The year 2024 has seen a significant spike in dengue cases. In 2023, there were 114,720 reported cases. By the 38th week of 2024, that number had surged to 197,396.
“This isn’t a reduction; it’s an increase. Nearly 200,000 cases, and the year isn’t over yet. So, the burden of dengue is quite severe,” she explained.
Despite ongoing efforts, Astrid admitted that combating dengue remains a challenge. One of the government’s recent strategies involved releasing Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, which aim to reduce the ability of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to transmit the dengue virus.
President Prabowo Secures Rp135 Trillion Investment During Visits in UK
While the program showed promising results in some areas, such as parts of Yogyakarta, it has yet to achieve significant impact nationwide. “In one area in Yogyakarta, it worked well, but in other regions, the results were less effective, though it hasn’t caused an increase in cases either,” she said.
The highest transmission rates in Indonesia have been recorded in West Java, East Java, and Bali. Globally, more than 13 million dengue cases were reported in 2024, with at least 8,500 deaths.
Collective Effort
Astrid emphasized that tackling dengue fever requires collective effort, not just from the government and healthcare professionals but from society at large. “Everyone must play a role in combating dengue. It’s not just the government’s responsibility,” she urged.
Dengue fever, caused by the Dengue virus and transmitted through Aedes aegypti mosquito bites, is not a seasonal disease. While often associated with the rainy season, it poses a threat year-round. “Dengue doesn’t only appear during the rainy season. It’s present every day, which is why prevention must be a daily effort by everyone,” Astrid concluded.
Seeing the cases of dengue fever keep on rising, efforts to combat dengue fever in Indonesia require a multifaceted approach. It needs collective effort combining government initiatives, healthcare advancements, and active participation from the public.
With sustained preventive measures and community engagement, the rising trend of cases and fatalities may subsided and prevent a significant public health challenge in the years to come.
(Raidi/Agung)
