Should Indonesia’s Rising Dengue Related Deaths Concern Bali Tourists?

Share The Article

Indonesia is seeing a sharp rise in the number of dengue-related deaths in the country.

Figures show that dengue deaths have increased by over 175% in the last four months to 475, compared to 170 recorded for the same period in 2023. 

These tragic deaths have been a huge cause for concern for health officials, government leaders, communities, and tourists in the country.

Everyone in Indonesia is being urged to take the threat of dengue fever seriously and take suitable precautions to help bring numbers down. 

This is also the season when dengue fever is most prevalent throughout Indonesia. The late rainy season, accompanied by cyclones and cyclone seeds still swirling across the ocean surrounding the archipelago, is when dengue fever cases always spike.

Soon, the dry seasons will move in, but in the meantime, communities are being urged to support the effort to eliminate mosquito nests. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by World Mosquito Program (WMP) (@wmpglobal)

It has to be noted that the majority of dengue related deaths have been recorded in Java. The Head of Communication and Public Services at the Indonesian Health Ministry, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, explained that within Indonesian the five worse affected areas at the moment are Bandung, Jepara, Subang, Kendal, and Bekasi City. 

However, health officials in Bali have also seen a rise in cases and dengue-related deaths.

Speaking to reporters last week, the Head of the Bangli Health Service, I Nyoman Arsana, explained that Bangli Regency had seen a 65% increase in the number of records of dengue cases compared to March 2023.

Bangli Regency is best known to tourists as the home of Kintamani, Mount Batur and Penglipuran Village.

Arsana explained that efforts are underway in Bangli to help reduce dengue cases.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by World Mosquito Program (WMP) (@wmpglobal)

He noted “We at Bangli Health Service have carried out fogged or spraying to eradicate mosquitos 68 times, but the spraying can only kill adult mosquitos, but the larvae, mosquito eggs, can still give birth to dengue mosquitos.” 

In early April, the Indonesian Health Ministry’s Director General of Disease Prevention and Control, Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, suggested that cases will continue to rise across the country until the rainy season ends.

He urged the public “Do not ignore anything that can cause puddles to form. Should it be left unchecked, it could serve as a place for the dengue mosquitoes to multiply.”

Speaking to the press on Monday 15th April, Indonesia’s Director of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Imran Pambudi said “We also carry out warnings in local media to remind people to beware of dengue fever. The disease usually increases at the beginning of the year.

Bali tourists are reminded to take suitable precautions against dengue fever.

Just because a patient doesn’t react to a mosquito bite immediately, or even see the bite mark on their skin, nor the mosquito in question, does not meant that they are not at risk.

In a post on social media, an Auatrlaain tourist on Bali shared her ordeal with dengue fever on a recent trip to Bali. She describes how she “wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”

The woman had been taken to hospital after severe dengue symptoms started to manifest, including a high temperature of 39C. 

As a frequent traveler to Bali, the woman confirmed she’s had “no dramas” until now and expressed her gratitude for being covered by travel and health insurance. 

The easiest way to avoid dengue fever is to reduce the risk of being bitten by a mosquito. There are several preventive measures both travelers and residents can take.

Precautions such as using window screens and mosquito repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535. Mosquito repellants like coils and vaporizers are also known to be effective. 

Some of the main symptoms of dengue fever are a fever, body aches, headaches, swollen glands, and pain behind the eyes. It is really important not to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin, but acetaminophen like paracetamol for pain is OK. 

It’s also important to note that in many cases, dengue fever is asymptomatic, and that in just as many cases mild cold and flu like symptoms are present.