Since the beginning of 2025, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health has recorded 10,752 cases of dengue fever. The reason for this surge is that the peak of the disease occurs between January and March. The seasonality of dengue fever follows a pattern: the number of cases decreases in March-April, then rises again in October, November, and December with the onset of the rainy season.
On Bali, specifically in Karangasem Regency, 258 cases were reported in February 2025 alone. Currently, 25 patients remain in the intensive care unit (ICU). Local health authorities have been instructed to carry out fogging in mosquito-prone areas.
The mortality rate for dengue fever is relatively high if treatment is delayed. In 2024, Indonesia recorded nearly 250,000 dengue cases, with 1,418 deaths. So far, in 2025, there have been 48 deaths.
Many patients only realize they have dengue fever when medical treatment is no longer effective.
A blood test to detect dengue fever can be done at public health centers (Puskesmas), private clinics, and laboratories. For example, SalineBali offers home visits for testing and vaccination. You can also buy a dengue test kit at pharmacies or online marketplaces and do the test yourself (keyword: dengue test kit).
• Lab test cost: from 150,000 IDR
• Vaccine cost: from 700,000 IDR
Dengue cases have been recorded in 235 districts/cities across 23 provinces, including Bali. The Indonesian government remains committed to fighting dengue fever through various programs, such as vector control, the 3M Plus movement, and the 1 House 1 Jumantik movement, supported by continuous education campaigns.
As an innovative strategy, the government has introduced Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to reduce dengue transmission, following successful trials in Yogyakarta, West Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Bontang, and Kupang. Vaccination is also being implemented as an additional protective measure.
What is 3M Plus?
The 3M Plus strategy includes:
• Applying anti-mosquito larvicide in water containers that are difficult to clean.
• Using mosquito repellents.
• Sleeping under mosquito nets.
• Keeping fish that eat mosquito larvae.
• Planting mosquito-repellent plants (e.g., lavender).
• Ensuring proper lighting and ventilation at home.
Dengue in Children and High-Risk Groups
• 47% of dengue cases occur in children and adolescents:
• 12% in children aged 1-4 years
• 35% in children aged 5-14 years
• The highest mortality rate is also among children:
• 45% of deaths in ages 5-14
• 21% of deaths in ages 1-4
Symptoms in children:
Dengue fever often starts with a sudden high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, red spots on the skin, vomiting, and persistent abdominal pain. If treatment is delayed, children may develop dengue shock syndrome (DSS), characterized by cold hands and feet, rapid breathing, and loss of consciousness, which can be fatal. There is no specific cure for dengue fever—treatment focuses on symptom relief and preventing complications, making prevention the best protection.
• 39% of dengue cases occur in adults aged 15-44 years.
• 13% of cases are in individuals over 44 years old.
• Dengue fever can be fatal for both children and adults.
• No immunity is developed after recovering from dengue; instead, the risk of severe reinfection increases.
Preventing Dengue in Bali
The Aedes aegypti mosquito only needs a small pool of water to lay eggs. Keeping your home clean is not enough—both residents and visitors in Bali are advised to follow 3M Plus precautions daily to prevent dengue fever.
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