El Nino phenomenon fuels Dengue Fever surge in Indonesia, affecting adults too

Indonesia faces a heightened risk of Dengue Fever (DBD) outbreaks as the El Nino phenomenon, predicted to persist until the end of 2026, causes rising temperatures. This warming trend expands the habitat of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the primary vectors for the disease.

Recent studies forecast over two million DBD cases in Indonesia throughout 2024, a number expected to climb with El Nino's impact. Data from the Ministry of Health reveals a concerning trend: 41 percent of DBD-related deaths in the past seven years have been among children aged 5-14. While children and adults with pre-existing conditions are more vulnerable, the threat extends to healthy adults as well.

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If there are comorbidities, the risk increases. But that doesn't mean people who feel healthy and don't have comorbidities are not at risk of severe DBD.

Dr. Sukamto Koesnoe, Head of the Adult Immunization Task Force at the Indonesian Society of Internal Medicine (PAPDI), emphasized that individuals without comorbidities can still experience severe DBD. "If there are comorbidities, the risk increases. But that doesn't mean people who feel healthy and don't have comorbidities are not at risk of severe DBD," he stated. He noted that DBD can exacerbate undiagnosed underlying conditions like hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, or chronic lung disease.

PAPDI data indicates that individuals with hypertension face a two to three times higher risk of DBD complications compared to those without comorbidities. This risk escalates to three to five times for diabetes patients, up to seven times for kidney disease patients, and two to twelve times for asthma or chronic lung disease sufferers. Dr. Hartono Gunardi of the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) advises parents to protect children from mosquito bites during outdoor activities by using light-colored, long-sleeved clothing and insect repellent, as mosquitoes are most active in the morning and afternoon.

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Mosquitoes that cause DBD are more active from morning to afternoon. When children are active outdoors, use long-sleeved clothing in bright colors because mosquitoes prefer dark colors. The use of insect repellent can also help, but it should not be overused.