PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - As of March 8 2024, cases of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DBD) in West Java reached 7,654 cases.

The areas with the highest cases are Bogor City with 800 cases, West Bandung Regency with 800 cases and Subang with 700 cases. According to the Head of the West Java Health Service, Vini Adiani Dewi, of the number of cases, the number of deaths was 71.

"Weather changes are the main factor in the large number of Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes that cause dengue fever. If there were no mosquitoes, it would not be contagious. Mosquito breeding is also supported by unfavorable environmental factors," said Vini at the Bewara Jabar (BEJA) event at Gedung Sate, Bandung City. (8/3/2024).

Therefore, according to Vini, the main way to prevent it is to make the environment cleaner and neater, apart from other measures.

"Of course prevention by sowing abate powder, fumigation, is also good, but the main thing is with 3M Plus. The public must continue to be educated about that," he stressed.

According to Vini, 3M Plus apart from draining, covering and recycling, also plants fish in ponds, plants mosquito repellent plants such as lavender, lemongrass and others, or uses mosquito repellent on the body.

Vini said that this appeal had been made in a circular to the district/city Health Service since December 2023, to be disseminated to the public.

"In addition to making circulars, the West Java Health Office is also updating knowledge for doctors regarding the development of dengue fever cases, related to danger signs, characteristics and treatment," he explained.

On the same occasion, Staff of the Division of Infections and Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Unpad/RSHS, dr. Jatnika Setiabudhi explained that dengue fever must be watched out for, because it often does not cause outward symptoms.

"Currently there is dengue without danger signs, with danger signs and severe dengue. This must be detected early as an effort to reduce deaths," he said.

According to Jatnika, severe dengue occurs when the disease enters a critical phase where body fluids come out of the blood vessels without being visible.

"You should especially be aware of the risk factors for children under 1 year old, obese children, women who are menstruating and those who have blood disorders. For these risk groups, they should be treated immediately," he concluded.