(4/5/2010)
The Jakarta Post reports that the Bali Health Agency is anticipating a sharp increase in dengue fever cases on the island over the coming two months.
The top Bali health agency official Nyoman Sutedja pointed to the current "fluctuating" number of a cases of dengue fever, warning the number of new cases could be expected to explode over the months ahead. "We predict the dengue epidemic will reach its peak between April and May because of changing weather. Therefore, we call on residents to remain alert by maintaining their health and the environment," Sutedja said.
health authorities estimate there were 1,600 dengue cases in Bali in the first quarter of 2010.
Dengue fever is spread via bites of the Aedes mosquito which can result in one of four types of dengue virus infections. Found throughout the world in tropical and sub-tropical areas the symptoms can include a high or low fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain and rashes. Also known as Dengue hemorrhagic fever the disease can have lethal consequences resulting from fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and bleeding.
In keeping with its oftentimes painful symptoms, dengue fever is also know as breakbone fever.
Most major hotels and villas in Bali have established pest control programs to control mosquitoes and vermin. The Bali government fumigates urban areas and villages as part of its program of public education and mosquito control.
© Bali
Discovery Tours. Articles may be quoted and reproduced
if attributed to http://www.balidiscovery.com.
