Concrete measures necessary in controlling dengue in South East Asia

South-East Asian countries must take concrete measures immediately in order to control the spread of dengue. The severity of the public health threat from dengue led to its inclusion in one of the resolutions adopted at the 61st Session of the Regional Committee Meeting of the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia Region in September 2008.

“We urge our Member States to take tangible steps towards implementing the Asia-Pacific Dengue Strategic plan, especially in the area of strengthening the system for prediction, early detection, cross-border surveillance, preparedness and early response to outbreaks of Dengue,” said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia.

“An effective approach must include community ownership, inter sectoral collaboration and coordination across relevant ministries for the effective implementation of prevention and control of this vector-borne disease.”

“WHO will provide the technical support to Member States in implementing this plan especially in the areas of assessing and monitoring the impact of climate change, in prioritizing operations research to support evidence-based policy decisions and effective preventive interventions. We will also facilitate research and development of a dengue vaccine for children,” Dr Plianbangchang said.

The Asia Pacific Dengue Strategic Plan (2008-2015) is meant to aid countries in reversing the rising trend of dengue by enhancing their preparedness; enable them to promptly detect, characterize and contain outbreaks; and limit the spread of dengue.

The situation across this Region is a concern to the World Health Organization. The transmission season for dengue in India, particularly Delhi, began in August, and is expected to peak in October and November. Indonesia has shown a gradual increase of reported cases since 2000 with the most number of cases reported in 2007 (over 150,000). It is likely that the figures for 2008 will edge close to last year’s as dengue is transmitted year-round in Indonesia, with a tendency to peak between December and February. The Maldives and Sri Lanka usually see an increase in the number of dengue cases between May and June and again from November to December.

Currently about 75% of the population in the Asia-Pacific region is at risk of Dengue. Dengue is a man-made problem which is linked to rapid unplanned and unregulated urban development, improper water storage and other conditions that provide breeding grounds for the mosquito. Movement of people to and from urban areas is another major factor.

The dengue virus spreads through the bite of the infectious female Aedes mosquito, primarily Aedes aegypti which breeds in artificial containers and improperly disposed of wastes where clean or clear water stagnates. Because dengue depends on such environmental factors, prevention is the key to effective control. Surveillance of vectors and the disease are both very critical because outbreaks of dengue are generally preceded by increased vector breeding in local areas.
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