500 Children Vaccinated: Westerlaken Foundation’s Concrete Step Against Dengue in Bali

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is an acute infectious disease caused by the dengue virus. While it can affect people of all ages, the disease tends to be more severe and dangerous when it strikes children. To date, there is no specific treatment proven to fully cure DHF, making risk factor control essential to reduce morbidity and mortality especially among children.

Dengue fever is found in many parts of the world, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. In Indonesia, outbreaks of DHF (extraordinary events/KLB) frequently occur during periods of high rainfall, which contributes to the growth of mosquito populations, especially the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector of the disease.

In 2024, Bali Province recorded 15,179 cases of DHF with 25 deaths, according to data from the Bali Provincial Health Office. Gianyar Regency had the highest number of cases with 4,453 cases, while Jembrana Regency reported the lowest with 323 cases. As of the end of January 2025, DHF continues to be a concern in Bali, with 1,460 new cases and two deaths reported in Tabanan and Denpasar.

This reality serves as a serious wake-up call to all elements of society and local institutions. Dengue cases are no longer limited to the rainy season even during the dry season, the risk remains high due to shifting climate patterns and environmental conditions that allow mosquito vectors to thrive.

In response to this situation, Westerlaken Foundation has taken concrete steps to provide long-term health protection, especially for children. One of the key focus areas is Bitera Village in Gianyar Regency, which has shown consistent increases in DHF cases year after year.

As part of its commitment to child protection, Westerlaken Foundation has distributed 500 free doses of the dengue vaccine to children from early childhood to adolescence in Bitera Village. This vaccination initiative is expected to be a first step in building community immunity (herd immunity) and significantly reducing the risk of dengue transmission in the future.

This effort is not just a short-term program, but part of Westerlaken Foundation’s long-term vision to ensure that every child has access to proper health protection. By raising awareness and strengthening preventive efforts, we hope to encourage broader collaboration among communities, government, and other institutions in the fight against dengue in Bali.