PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. GARUT - The Garut Regency Health Service (Dinkes) confirmed a drastic increase in cases of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) at the beginning of this year.

According to the Head of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) at the Garut Health Office, Asep Surachman, as of the first week of March 2024, 532 dengue fever cases were recorded in the Garut Regency area. Even though the number of cases is increasing, there have been no cases of death due to this disease.

"This figure, when compared to 2023, has certainly increased, in 2023 there were 786 cases, while in just the past 2 months or January-February we have found 532 cases, meaning that half of last year's cases have occurred in these 2 months of the year 2024," said Asep, Tuesday (12/3/2024).

Asep explained that the increase in dengue cases hit almost all areas of Garut Regency, especially urban and northern areas such as Limbangan and Selaawi. The high rainfall factor is thought to be the main trigger for this increase in cases, creating standing water which becomes a breeding ground for the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

"The spread of dengue fever is almost even, in the South it has also occurred, then in the North it is mostly in the Malangbong, Limbangan and Selaawi areas. In urban areas such as Garut City, Karangpawitan, Tarogong Kaler and Tarogong Kidul there are also quite a lot of cases," he said.

Asep explained that in the field his party found several cases, where during epidemiological investigations mosquito larvae were found in his house.

Asep also reminded that mosquitoes that carry dengue fever can nest in unexpected places such as pet drinkers, dispensers, refrigerators and flower vases. The public is asked to increase vigilance by implementing Mosquito Nest Eradication (PSN) to reduce the risk of transmission.

"If we don't implement PSN, of course there will be more dengue cases. Dengue mosquitoes are synonymous with the rainy season, and breed in containers containing clean water, such as rainwater collected in bottles or certain containers," he said.

The Garut District Health Office has alerted all health facilities to handle dengue cases and reminded the public, if you experience complaints or symptoms of dengue fever such as sudden high fever reaching a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius, you can get an examination at the local health center or to the nearest health facility.

Through the Early Alert and Response System (SKDR), the Health Office monitors dengue cases in real-time to take appropriate preventive measures.

"In this way, the Community Health Center, both hospitals and all health facilities will report through the system, and we will get daily, even weekly and monthly real-time reports from the system," he said.