Larvae Controllers Break Sweat to Prevent Dengue Fever

KOMPAS/TOTOK WIJAYANTO

Hamzah, a mosquito larvae control coordinator in neighborhood unit (RW) 004 in West Cilandak subdistrict, Cilandak, South Jakarta, meets with other larvae controllers to make evaluations after meeting locals to ensure that no Aedes aegypti mosquitoes live in their neighborhood.

Armed with only a flashlight, jumatik, or mosquito larvae controllers, work tirelessly to reach out to residents. Although they often face resistance from homeowners, they persist in their work to ensure that neighborhoods are free of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Hamzah, a jumatik coordinator in neighborhood unit (RW) 004 in the West Cilandak subdistrict of Cilandak, South Jakarta, aimed his flashlight into a birdbath at a local residence on Thursday (2/21/2019).

After he was sure that it did not contain live mosquito larvae, he entered the residence and set his sights on the receptacle of the drinking water dispenser.

Fortunately, the homeowner maintained hygiene in every nook and cranny of the residence.

“The Aedes aegypti is what we call an ‘elite mosquito’. They live in clean water. Sometimes, people do not realize that they could have larvae living in water dispensers, under the fridge and in birdbaths. We always check these spots first,” said Hamzah.

In 2019, the 15 jumatik in West Cilandak subdistrict heightened their vigilance after four dengue fever patients emerged in the area. The subdistrict recorded no dengue fever cases last year, and three cases in 2017.

“We’ve been working hard for the last three years. In 2016, we saw 17 dengue fever cases. It was the highest number of cases in recent years. We’d been able to suppress the spread of dengue fever in the last two years, but now it’s reemerging,” said larvae controller Widi Rahmawati, 47.

Hamzah said that local residents had better awareness of environmental hygiene these days, especially after Cilandak district launched its Larvae-Free Neighborhood initiative. Local neighborhoods competed against one another to eradicate dengue fever.

Many residents maintained natural mosquito repellants nowadays, like betta fish as pets, chopped up lemongrass, frangipani flowers and pandan leaves. Many had also registered as local mosquito larvae controllers.

Of the 1,115 heads of households in West Cilandak RW 004, 796 are larvae controllers, each of who are tasked with checking 22 locations inside and outside their homes.

The West Cilandak Puskesmas (community health center) also distributes simple mosquito traps, the Larvae Trap Cilandak (LTC) and the Mosquitos Trap Cilandak (MTC), made of large water bottles, netting, plastic bags and rubber bands.

The West Cilandak larvae controllers check homes, shops, offices and hospitals. Sometimes, they face resistance from hospital management that believed their facilities were clean and sterile. However, the larvae controllers still sometimes found larvae living in water dispensers.

In early February, the residents of RW 005 in Lenteng Agung subdistrict, Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, assaulted three larvae controllers as they were about to check for larvae at a local home.

Collecting donations

Sumiati, 60, became a larvae controller two years ago for Setupatok village in Mundu district, Cirebon regency, West Java. Before that, she had worked at a posyandu (integrated health service post) since 1992.

As a jumatik, Sumiati is used to various reactions from residents. Some are pleased that she has come to check their house, while others shut their doors or leave immediately when she arrives.

“Some ask for envelopes when I try to check their homes. They thought I was collecting donations. Perhaps it is because I carry a folder. I just laugh at such incidents,” said Sumiati, who is the wife of a veteran.

Her folder contains a list of homes she must check and an official letter from the Pamengkang Puskesmas.

Her monthly payment of Rp 40,000 (US$2.85) is tiny compared to the monthly income she makes from her jamu (traditional herbal drink) shop. “I just love interacting with other people. It’s like maintaining good relationships. It’s a form of religious observance,” Sumiati said, smiling.

The grandmother of six works hard every day. Her old legs no longer support her in making her rounds to check the targeted 3,000 homes in a year. She is the only larvae controller in her village.

Thanks to her hard work, the village has remained dengue fever-free until the third week in February. Setupatok is no longer categorized as a dengue-endemic village, a village that has seen annual cases of dengue fever cases for the past three years.

In Kertosari subdistrict, Banyuwangi regency, 56-year-old larvae controller Elok Prasetyaningsih has visited thousands of homes in the past 20 years. She always begins her interaction with homeowners by greeting them, introducing herself and explaining her task. Despite her politeness, homeowners do not always respond positively.

“Aside from a flashlight and larvicide, you also need patience in this job. You have to be patient in the face of rejections and unclean bathrooms. Patience is necessary when you enter disgusting bathrooms and you’re really tired,” she said. (DEA/BRO/IKI/GER)