TEMPO.CO, Ambon, Maluku - Up to early June 2016, dengue cases in the eastern Indonesian city of Ambon in the province of Maluku rose to 139, which included seven fatalities, according to local health office spokesperson Yusda Tuharea.
"Last year there were only 25 dengue cases but up to early June this year the number increased to 139, which also included seven deaths," Tuharea remarked on Saturday.
Dengue fever is spreading across five areas in the city of Ambon, namely Kayu Putih, Passo, Kebun Cengkeh and Batu Merah, and Benteng Karang, she said.
Dengue fever is currently at an endemic stage in some regions of Indonesia such as North Sumatra, Banten, East Java, and West Nusa Tenggara.
In West Nusa Tenggara, it has claimed 22 lives, according to local Health Office Chief Eka Junaidi.
"The number of dengue cases in the province continues to rise every day, and until June 1, 2016, some 22 people had died of the disease," Junaidi remarked in Mataram recently.
Junaidi expressed concern over the continued increase in casualties due to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, with the number of cases reaching 2,064 across the province.
In fact, on May 19, the number had reached 1,939, with 19 fatalities, but this time, the figure had risen to 2,064, with 22 deaths.
Of the 10 districts/cities, Mataram city had the highest incidences of dengue fever, with 643 cases, including seven fatalities until June, Junaidi added.
Lombok Timur was the second-worst affected district with 535 cases, which included six fatalities in May. By June 3, that figure had risen to 575, with one more death.
ANTARA
