Dengue Fever (DBD) Cases in Bali Soar High, Tourists Advised to Get Vaccinated

Foreign Tourists in Bali
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Dengue fever (DBD) cases are on the rise in Indonesia, including in Bali. Even a foreign tourist from Queensland, Australia, was infected while vacationing on the Island of the Gods. Tourists are urged to take preventive measures, including getting vaccinated against dengue fever.

As reported by Antaranews on Saturday (20/4/2024), DBD cases in Bali are indeed high, especially during the rainy season. In fact, the total DBD cases from January to April 2024 reached 4,177 cases with five deaths.

The high number of DBD cases in Bali has prompted tourists to take preventive measures, including getting vaccinated against dengue fever.

“We hope that tourists will be more vigilant during their holidays, so they can stay healthy while traveling. Since endemic areas like DBD are always present, one way to prevent it is through vaccination,” said Acting Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Department (P2P) at the Bali Health Office, I Gusti Ayu Raka Susanti, as quoted by Antara.

Read also: Alert! Throughout 2024, Dengue Fever (DBD) Cases Continue to Rise to 46,148 Cases

Although tourists are encouraged to get vaccinated against dengue fever, Raka continued, this program is still not mandatory.

“So, it’s still optional. If I’m not mistaken, it costs Rp 400,000 per injection. If people want it, they can go to health facilities that provide it, which is available for babies to the elderly,” she said.

According to Raka, dengue fever vaccination is an effort to protect oneself, not only for tourists but also for the people of Bali.

The Bali Health Office continues to take preventive measures against DBD through education to involve the community in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds.

“With dengue fever, it’s about how people can avoid mosquito bites, such as using mosquito repellent lotions because mosquitoes bite during the day. Perhaps using mosquito sprays, mosquito nets, or electric mosquito repellents,” she added.