June 15 is celebrated as Asean Dengue Fever Day. Southeast Asia, which is a tropical region, is a comfortable place for the development of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
These two mosquitoes, especially Aedes egypti, are the main vectors or main carriers of the dengue virus to be spread to humans.
This infectious disease of dengue fever varies from asymptomatic, mild-moderate symptoms to severe symptoms can even cause death. Cases of severe dengue fever is approximately 1% of cases.
Dengue fever is like other viral diseases, there is no specific treatment, but only symptomatic treatment.
Early detection of infection and proper treatment of this disease can prevent serious and fatal cases.
Cases of dengue fever in the world are increasing sharply along with the rapid rate of human movement in the world, both from tropical to subtropical areas and vice versa.
Approximately 100-400 million cases of dengue fever occur every year in the world, and 80% of them are mild and asymptomatic cases. There are 4 subtypes of dengue virus, namely DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4.
If a person has been infected by 1 subtype of dengue virus, then he or she will be protected against infection with viruses with the same subtype, but not by other subtypes, so that they have the potential to be infected with other dengue viruses.
The first dengue infection is called a primary infection and if there is a second or subsequent infection it is called a secondary infection. This condition can be identified both clinically and by laboratory examination.
Secondary infectious conditions have the potential to become severe cases of dengue fever.
The main prevention against the development of dengue fever infection is the eradication of the vector of this disease, namely the Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus.
Once someone who is sick or in their blood there is this dengue virus (viremia) which lasts approximately 1 week after being infected and when it is bitten by an Aedes aegypti or Ae. albopictus mosquito, the mosquito can spread it to other humans.
Therefore, patients who are sick must be treated in a special place with mosquito nets so they are not bitten by new mosquitoes so they don’t spread the virus to other humans.
In addition, the 3M program (Draining the bathtub, Closing the water storage area, and Burying items that have the potential for standing water) is very useful in preventing the spread of this dengue fever.
This effort requires the active role of the whole community simultaneously together. The 3M movement must be carried out throughout the year by the government and community organizations, especially those in the health sector.
That is my note in the commemoration of Asean Dengue Fever Day. May we all be protected from all kinds of diseases and plagues. Amiin ya rabbal alamin.
Dr. Badrul Munir SpPD FINASIM
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