Dengueโ Fever Alert issued for Penajam Paser โฃUtara asโข Transition Season begins
PENAJAM,East Kalimantan – โฃWith the arrival of the transitionโ season,the โNorth Penajam Paser (PPU) District Health Service is urgingโ residents too be โคvigilant for the early signs of Dengue Hemorrhagic Feverโค (DHF),citing increased risk due to breeding conditions for Aedesโ aegypti โข mosquitoes.
PPU Health Service Manager, Ponco Waluyo, stressed thatโค unexplained โฃhigh fever โฃis a primary indicator of potential dengue infection. He clarified that a fever accompanied without symptoms like cough, runny nose, sore throat, or a recent history โof injury โshould raise suspicion.
“If a child orโ adult develops a fever for no apparent reason, without cold symptoms or โคa sore throat – and โhasn’t recently been in forested areas – dengue fever should be considered,” Ponco explained. He noted the importance of differentiating dengue from malaria, which is a risk โin certain PPUโฃ regions.
Early diagnosis isโ critical, Ponco emphasized, recommending NS1 (antigen) โฃand โRapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) be conducted from theโ first toโ the fourth day of fever. “Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen,” he urged. “If a child has a fever โfor no reason, take them to the Community Health Center immediately.”
While there is no specific cure for dengue fever – as it is caused by a virus โ- maintaining adequate fluid and nutritional intake is paramount in treatment. “The important thing is sufficient intake. Water, milk, or the child’s favorite food, โขeven ice cream, is allowed, asโ long as fluid andโ nutritional needsโ are met,”โฃ Ponco stated.
Treatment โfocuses on preventing severe complications like shock, makingโ early โdetection key to avoiding serious health consequences.
The PPU Health Service reports a positive trend inโข dengue cases, with no fatalities recorded โขin the last two years – โa โsignificant improvement compared to the previous three years. “Alhamdulillah this yearโค there were no deaths. Last year there weren’t anyโ either.This shows a reduction โคin risk,” Poncoโ said.
The Health Office is reiterating its appeal toโค the publicโฃ to seek immediate medical attention for unexplainedโ fevers and to prioritize environmental cleanliness to control Aedes aegypti mosquito populations.
(Advertorial/Brb)