UNAIR NEWS – Located along the equator line, Indonesia cannot be separated from the impact of tropical diseases. A number of tropical diseases caused by mosquito bites like Dengue Fever (DBD) continue to scourge in the archipelago, especially urban areas.

Professor of Environmental Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Ririh Yudhastuti, drh., M.Sc, said than urban residents are more vulnerable to dengue virus transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Therefore, urban residents live in residential neighborhoods with high density.

In Surabaya, every year dengue fever cases always occur in some areas such as Sawahan and Tambaksari. Based on research conducted by doctoral students of the Faculty of Public Health, dengue virus also has infected areas in Makassar such as Toraja.

“In fact, in the water reservoir, the mosquito eggs already contain dengue virus,” said Ririh.

Why is dengue virus easily transmitted in urban areas? Ririh explained, Aedes aegypti vector has a low flying distance, only a hundred meters.

However, Ririh added the highlands also need to be on alert with dengue fever because the virus has also infected the areas around the mountains.

Basically, Aedes aegypti mosquito is anthropophilic that prefers human blood.

“Humans have three types of skin glands and one of them is eccrine gland. These gland contains carboxylic molecules which distinguishes the smell of human to other mammal. This gland intrigues the mosquitoes to bite or suck blood, ” said Ririh who was just inaugurated as a professor, Saturday, July 8.

The role of the weather forecast

More rainfall will increase the humidity and temperature. It is a conducive condition for mosquito activity to prolong life and reproduce. Aedes aegypti vectors develop optimally at temperatures of 20-28 degrees Celsius.

Longer life of mosquitoes increase the chances for dengue virus to finish its extrinsic incubation period. Indonesia, as a tropical country with a temperature of 16-32 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 60-80 percent is an ideal space to support the breeding of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

The weather in Indonesia, including Surabaya and surrounding areas are often uncertain. Heavy rain often happens with strong winds at night and and it is scorching hot during the day.

“Biologically, this uncertain weather plays an important role in the transmission of transmitted diseases of Aedes aegypti mosquito vectors,” said the mosquito.

Before entering the rainy season, people can use the time to implement 3M plus program, draining, closing, burying or stockpiling used goods, and brushing clean water storage walls.

“In recent years there has been transovarial transmission of DBD in dengue endemic areas including in Surabaya. Dengue case every year in Surabaya shows the existence of transovarial tendencies, “explained the woman born in Surakarta.

She said that the public should also always lives a clean and healthy life to minimize the occurring cases of DBD.

Author: Defrina Sukma S