Global Burden of Dengue Fever: A Call to Action as Experts Discuss Strategies and Solutions at the 7th Asian Dengue Summit

The 7th Asian Dengue Summit in Malaysia held on June 5 brought together international experts to discuss the global burden of dengue fever. More than 500 doctors and medical staff from 20 countries and territories attended the event, where strategies to fight the disease and achieve zero deaths were highlighted in 13 reports.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reiterated its warning about underestimating the global burden of dengue fever at the conference. The number of infected individuals has increased tenfold from 2000 to 2019, reaching 5.2 million cases in 129 countries. By April 30, there were over 7.6 million cases recorded globally, with a significant rise in cases in the United States.

Factors contributing to the rapid spread of dengue fever include changes in distribution and increased diversity of disease vectors like Aedes mosquitoes, as well as climate change and the El Nino phenomenon. With population growth and urbanization, the risk of dengue fever is predicted to increase, prompting the WHO to propose a “Zero death” strategy by 2030.

Experts at the conference discussed solutions to control mosquitoes, develop dengue vaccines, and new antiviral drugs. The role of immunity and vaccination in preventing the Dengue virus was emphasized, as well as the challenges in vaccine development due to the virus’s complex antigenic evolution. WHO-approved vaccines like Dengvaxia and Qdenga are available in certain countries with a high dengue burden.

The conference also addressed the importance of early detection, clinical management, and community engagement in combating dengue fever. Initiatives like the iDengue portal in Malaysia and the Young ADVA program were highlighted as efforts to raise awareness and prevent the spread of