by Jeff
I’ve lived in Bali for over five years now, and while most people think of paradise when they hear the name, there’s a growing threat that locals and expats alike are all too familiar with: dengue fever. This year, it’s gotten worse and I wanted to understand why.
So I did what any curious writer would do. I spoke to people locals, villa managers, and health-conscious expats. The stories they shared, combined with some serious stats, paint a picture we can’t afford to ignore.
📈 Dengue in Bali: What the Numbers Say
• 15,570 dengue cases were reported across Bali in 2024.
• Gianyar (Ubud area) had the most with ~4,476 cases, followed by Badung (~2,407 cases).
• Denpasar alone saw 1,309 cases with 9 deaths, according to official reports.
• Dengue incidence doubled since 2021, now at 319 cases per 100,000 people.
But numbers alone don’t tell the full story. So here’s what people had to say…
🗣 What the Community is Saying
Kadek, a villa caretaker in Canggu, told me:
“I’ve never seen this many people sick at once. In April, three guests got dengue in the same week. We do fogging, but the mosquitoes just come back. Screens help, but not all villas have them.”
Sophie, an Australian expat living in Ubud with two young kids, shared:
“My 8 year old got dengue last year. It was terrifying. Since then, I’ve installed mosquito screens on every window and door. I don’t care how pretty open-air living looks I care about my children being safe.”
Wayan, a local health volunteer in Gianyar, added:
“The government gives us mosquito larvicide and fogging every few weeks, but the real problem is inside people’s homes. They still keep flower pots and buckets with water. And not enough people use screens.”
These stories echo a larger truth: community-level action isn’t enough without personal prevention.
🌡 What’s Fueling the Dengue Surge?
1. Climate shifts: unpredictable rain and hotter temperatures accelerate mosquito breeding.
2. Urban growth: more villas, more construction, and more standing water.
3. Inconsistent prevention: not every home uses screens or repellents effectively.
To tackle this, the government has launched the DBDKlim system, a climate-based dengue early warning tool, and introduced Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes in some areas. The dengue vaccine Qdenga is also available. But for most households, the most immediate defense is physical protection.
🛡 Why Calibre Screens Are More Than Just Screens
This is where Calibre comes in. Their high-quality mosquito screens aren’t just practical they’re beautifully engineered to suit Bali’s modern and traditional architecture. I’ve seen them in use at a few villas and even installed one in my own home last month.
Here’s what I love about them:
• Tough mesh that blocks mosquitoes without blocking your view.
• Built for Bali’s lifestyle works with sliding doors, folding systems, or traditional openings.
• No chemicals safe for kids, pets, and the environment.
Plus, they’ve created a combo screen + glass sliding door system, which is the first of its kind in Indonesia. One villa manager in Seminyak told me:
“Guests used to complain about mosquitoes constantly. After we installed Calibre, not a single issue during the entire dry season.”
✅ Jeff’s Final Thoughts
If you live in Bali or manage a property here, you already know dengue is real. The stats confirm it, and the people I’ve spoken to feel it deeply. But you don’t have to wait for government programs or seasonal fogging.
Start with your own space. Screens are simple, effective, and long-lasting. Calibre’s systems blend functionality with premium aesthetics and in my opinion, they’re the most thoughtful investment you can make right now.
Let’s stop treating mosquitoes like background noise. Dengue is preventable, and protection starts at home with awareness, with community action, and with calibre.
Stay sharp, stay protected.
—Jeff