Nurni Sulaiman, The Jakarta Post, Balikpapan
The East Kalimantan provincial government has called on people in the province to be alert to dengue high fever, after an outbreak caused the deaths of ten people in the past two months.
The provincial health office also asked hospitals and public health centers to remain open to those infected by the endemic disease regardless of their economic background.
"We have disseminated through local media, including TV and radio stations, necessary information on the disease and preventive actions to have the people be alert of its risks," provincial health office chief Dyah Muryani said here Tuesday.
She said many people knew little about the disease left it too late to come to the hospital.
"Since January, 372 patients with dengue fever have been treated in Balikpapan, 32 in East Kutai and 29 in Tarakan. Many died because they were brought too late and, therefore, all people, especially those living in urban areas, should enhance their alertnes by rushing to clinics or hospitals those with dengue symptoms and keeping a healthy and clean environment," she said, adding locals should know that the disease's symptoms included fluctuating body temperature and severe headaches.
Since last December, six have died in Balikpapapan, and two each in Tarakan and Sangatta, East Kutai regency.
Diyah said that after being infected, victims would suffer from a high fever for several days "and the high fever is usually on and off. After the three-day incubation period, hot spots appear on the victim's whole body and bleeding could happen in the higher phase depending on their body's immunity."
He said that dengue was a serious disease which was more ferocious than HIV/AIDS because it could kill within days.
"Residents should improve their alertness also because of the changing climate during the rainy season could affect their body's immunity. Therefore, those with a high fever that lasts than one day should be rushed to a hospital or clinic for observation and medication because the disease does not always shows its physical symptoms."
Dengue regularly kills people around the archipelago, including Jakarta during the rainy season.
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