TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin said that dealing with dengue fever (DBD) through mosquito emissions Wolbachia started to be implemented in five big cities. “It has started to be carried out in Bandung, in Bontang, Kupang, Jakarta, another one in Semarang,” said Budi when met by journalists at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Thursday, March 28 2024.
Budi explained that the Wolbachia mosquito was effective in reducing dengue fever rates in Yogyakarta after Gadjah Mada University (UGM) became a pioneer in research development. “The city of Yogyakarta is the only city that has dropped (DHF numbers) since Wolbachia was launched,” he said.
Budi also appealed to the public to be careful about the hoaxes circulating about the Wolbachia mosquito. “Don’t let something with good intentions and scientific evidence not work,” he said.
Furthermore, Budi also mentioned that dengue fever is the fourth most infectious disease in Indonesia with around 120 thousand cases a year. DHF, explained Budi, followed TB with 1 million sufferers, HIV with 500 thousand sufferers, and malaria with 400 thousand sufferers.
Budi asked the public not to panic about the spread of dengue fever. According to him, the potential for death from dengue fever is quite low. “Jakarta hospitals still have enough space because our experience with Covid is that there are lots of facilities, so don’t worry,” he said.
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In detail, Budi also reminded a number of efforts to prevent dengue fever, namely eliminating standing water, spraying insecticide, and checking yourself at the nearest health center or hospital.
SAVERO ARISTIA WIENANTO | DANIEL A. FAJRI
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