Tulungagung Health Office noted 198 cases of DHF with four died children
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreak in Tulungagung, East Java: A Call to Action
— The escalating threat of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in Tulungagung Regency, East Java, has health officials on high alert. In the past two months, 198 cases have been reported, with four fatalities — including one toddler and three children under school age. Head of the Prevention of Infectious Diseases of the Tulungagung Health Office Desi Lusiana Wardhani stated, “The case of death is spread in three districts, two in Pakel District, as well as one in Sumbergempol and Kedungwaru Districts.”
In one month there are an average of two cases of death and we still have the next ten months. Desi Lusiana Wardhani
This surge in DHF cases represents a grim escalation from previous years. In 2023, three deaths were reported, jumping to 17 in 2024. This alarming trend has led to increased urgency in preventing further outbreaks. Health officials are now focusing on both immediate mitigation strategies and long-term educational efforts to reduce mosquito populations, emphasizing mosquito nest eradication.
EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS TO ENCURAGE COMMUNITY ACTION
The Regency Government (Pemkab) of Tulungagung has also issued an appeal that the community actively conducts PSN. Desi stressed the importance of the role of community leaders, including the village head, in inviting residents to carry out PSN regularly.
Similar to educational campaigns in the U.S., like the CDC’s educational outreach on mosquito-borne diseases, Tulungagung’s health officials are advocating for community-led initiatives to prevent the spread of DHF. The 3M Plus methodology, which involves closing, draining, burying, and sprinkling larvasida, has been strongly recommended.
“Simultaneous PSNs by residents are proven to be able to suppress the transmission of DHF up to 75 percent,” Desi Lusiana Wardhani said.
However, some experts argue that education alone is not enough. “Educational campaigns are essential,” said Dr. Emily Simmons, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University. “But community engagement and tangible solutions, like the 3M Plus method, have consistently shown more immediate results in reducing mosquito populations.”
Concerns around program effectiveness have highlighted the need for robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks. This aligns with recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), which suggests that continuous surveillance and flexible response mechanisms are crucial for success.
Based on current projections, the health crisis is likely to worsen without immediate action. Tulungagung’s health officials note the possibility of schools becoming hotspots for infection. Desi Lusiana Wardhani added, “The Health Office also noted the possibility of some children infected with DHF in the school environment. For this reason, his party will write to the Tulungagung Regency Education Office so that schools routinely conduct PSN.
“With PSN at school, the risk of transmission of DHF in children can be reduced,” said Desi Lusiana Wardhani.
Local educational institutions in Tulungagung are already establishing partnerships with health organizations to incorporate mosquito prevention techniques into their regular curriculum. Communities around Houston and other mosquito-prone areas in the U.S. have embraced similar educational outreach tactics implemented by local organizations, emphasizing regular sanitization and constant vigilance in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases.
The Regency government is looking into enhanced active surveillance in schools. Talks of distributing insect repellent wipes and soap to all schools in the area are already underway.
However, it’s essential to recognize the limitations of surveillance within academic settings. Education only partially addresses the issue, as environmental and societal factors, such as access to clean water and sanitation, often play a more significant role. Therefore, these efforts must be combined with robust environmental sanitation and structural changes in disease-prone areas.
CONCLUSION
As Tulungagung faces the challenges of escalating DHF cases, community engagement and education stand at the forefront of combating this public health crisis. Rigorous adherence to prevention methods, coupled with proactive monitoring and rapid response, forms the backbone of any effective mitigation strategy. By integrating these elements, Tulungagung can turn the tide against DHF and serve as a model for combating mosquito-borne diseases.