DENGUE TAKES FIVE LIVES IN FLORES ISLAND

Jakarta Forum - Kupang, Public health authorities in Flores Island have categorized dengue outbreaks in two districts as "extraordinary" occurences (KLB) after five local residents had died of the disease since early January.

Three of the fatalities happened in Sikka distict and the other two in Nagekeo district, the head of East Nusatenggara (NTT) province`s health office, Stefanus Bria Seran, said here on Thursday.

In Sikka district in particular dengue outbreaks in the period January-Ferbuary 11 period had increaed sharply and had now reached 251.

The number could well rise further in the days ahead because in the last 10 days alone 117 dengue cases had occurred, Stefanus said.

"In Sikka district alone, 134 cases were reported in January, and since last February 1, 117 new cases were detected, The number is probably to rise further," he said.

In Nagekeo district, there were only six cases in February but two of them resulted in the patients` deaths.

In NTT`s provincial capital of Kupang 279 cases had happened since early January but there were no fatalities because the patients received timely treatment in hospitals, he said.

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