VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Sikka District Health Office, East Nusa Tenggara, reported here on Sunday that 13 people had died of dengue fever since the beginning of this year.

"Until now, the death toll from dengue fever has reached 13, an increase compared to that over the last few days," Acting Head of the Sikka Health Office Petrus Herlemus said.

Last Wednesday (March 4), the number of people who died of dengue fever was 11, and it increased to 13 on Sunday, he said.

Meanwhile, a total of 108 people, including children, were currently being treated for dengue fever in three hospitals - TC Hillers, Lela Hospital and Kewapante Hospital.

A total of 1,145 people had been treated for dengue fever in Sikka during the January-March 4 period.

The dengue fever outbreak has forced the Sikka authorities to declare an emergency situation, beginning March 3, for 14 days.

The local administration has tried to prevent dengue cases in the area by spreading fogging, socializing the danger of dengue fever, giving out mosquito repellent, and distributing abate powder.

Dengue fever was rampant in Sikka due to poor sanitation facility and lack of awareness of the local people as most of them did not go to doctors immediately when they were sick.

The local health office has opened 24-hour laboratory posts serving local people wanting to check their blood.