Dengue is a disease that knows no boundaries and is estimated to affect about 390 million people every year, mostly in ASEAN and the Western Pacific regions. The figures might be underestimated as some countries do not have the necessary equipment and tools to detect the disease.
As this year’s ASEAN Dengue Day theme suggests, there needs to be a “United Fight against Dengue”, where countries around the region should work together to reduce the dengue burden. There is a need for communities within countries to be more aware and stay resilient in this environment despite the availability of a dengue vaccine and the use of Wolbachia bacteria-carrying mosquitoes.
Dr Vincent Pang, Assistant Professor and Director, Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Research (CIDER) at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health explains that even with effective control measures being rolled out by the government, global warming and globalisation are facilitating dengue transmission and there will be more individuals who will be susceptible to dengue.
There is a need to also emphasise the importance of personal protection measures within the community. More research needs to be done in order to win the battle against dengue, and community efforts will form the integral component of this ongoing battle.
Media Coverage:
- The Straits Times, 15 June 2017