BLITAR – Dengue risk in Blitar is rising as extreme heat linked to the El Nino phenomenon speeds up the life cycle of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Health officials have issued a stronger warning for residents.
Amid rising temperatures and long dry weather, the Blitar Health Office urged people not to underestimate dengue fever, locally known as DBD. The agency said the dry season does not mean lower health risks.
Officials explained that hot weather does not reduce mosquito-borne diseases. Instead, higher temperatures help mosquitoes breed faster and spread the dengue virus more quickly.
Head of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P), Anggit Ditya Putranto, said extreme heat directly affects mosquito metabolism. It also increases mosquito activity in residential areas.
According to him, mosquitoes become more aggressive in biting humans when temperatures rise. At the same time, the dengue virus develops faster inside the mosquito’s body.
This shorter incubation period allows transmission to happen faster. As a result, the risk of infection increases across neighborhoods.
“Even though we are facing a water crisis and extreme heat, people must stay alert against dengue fever,” Anggit said.
“Hot temperatures make mosquitoes reproduce faster. This should be an alarm for all of us to stay disciplined in keeping the environment clean,” he added.
Besides high temperatures, limited access to clean water creates another serious challenge for many families during the dry season. Water shortages force residents to change daily habits.
Many households store water in large containers because regular supply becomes limited during drought periods. This condition becomes common in several areas.
If residents leave these containers uncovered or rarely clean them, mosquitoes can breed there easily. These places become ideal nests for Aedes aegypti.
Health officials said this often increases the risk of dengue outbreaks during long dry seasons. The threat becomes higher in crowded neighborhoods.
Because of that, the Health Office asked residents to stay consistent with mosquito nest eradication efforts, known locally as PSN. Prevention remains the main focus.
The agency continues to promote the 3M Plus campaign. It includes draining water containers, closing water storage areas, and recycling unused items that can collect water.
Officials believe these simple actions can reduce mosquito breeding spots around homes, schools, and public spaces. They also help protect children and elderly residents.
Residents are also encouraged to seek medical help quickly if they experience high fever that does not go down for several days. Early action is very important.
Health officers warned that delayed treatment can lead to serious complications. In severe cases, dengue fever can become fatal.
“Do not wait until the condition becomes severe. Immediately visit the nearest public health center,” Anggit said.
He added that health workers now monitor crowded public areas and outpatient services for early case detection. This helps prevent wider transmission.
Early diagnosis remains one of the best ways to prevent severe complications and reduce deaths caused by dengue fever.
The Health Office hopes stronger public awareness and regular environmental cleaning will reduce dengue transmission during this extreme heat period.
With El Nino continuing to affect weather patterns, officials said prevention must remain the first line of defense for every family in Blitar.