Dengue is the most widespread and rapidly increasing vector-borne disease globally. The number of new cases of dengue continues to rise across the South-East Asia Region. With 10 of the 11 Member States endemic, the WHO SEAR is among the highest burden Regions for dengue in the world, with 1.16 million reported cases and 4,323 reported deaths (Case fatality rate: 0.37%) in 2023 alone.
On 30 November 2023, WHO assessed the risk of this event at global level as high (confidence in available information: moderate). On 1 December 2023, the event was graded as a multi-Region Grade 3 Public Health Emergency, considering the scale of the event, the potential risk of further international spread, the complexity of factors amplifying the escalation of dengue cases and related deaths and the current generally low to moderate health system capacity pertaining to dengue prevention and control in most endemic countries.
To improve Regional capacity to prevent and control dengue towards achievement of zero dengue death by 2030, WHO-SEARO has been implementing multiple initiatives since 2023. This includes: re-vitalizing Regional Technical Advisory Group (RTAG), establishing a standardized monthly data reporting mechanism, developing a Regional Dengue Dashboard, publishing a Regional Epidemiological Bulletins and conducting integrated VBDs programme reviews. In response to outbreaks, WHO-SEARO also organized a Regional Webinar Series, which was now converted and launched as the OpenWHO Course on dengue case management in the South-East Asia Region.
The upcoming webinar aims to share key updates on the Regional and country initiatives to accelerate prevention and control of dengue in South-East Asia Region and discuss the remaining gaps and priorities.Dates: 10 December 2024
All proposed times are in India Standard Time (IST).
Maldives (Male): IST – 00:30; Sri Lanka (Colombo): IST + 00:00; Nepal (Kathmandu): IST + 00:15; Bangladesh (Dhaka) & Bhutan (Thimphu): IST + 00:30; Myanmar (Yangon): IST + 01:00; Indonesia (Jakarta) & Thailand (Bangkok): IST + 01:30; DPR Korea (Pyongyang) & Timor Leste (Dili) IST + 03:30
| Time | Topics | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 14:00 - 14:05 (5 min) | Opening remark | Dr Suman Rijal, Director, CDS, SEARO |
| 14:05 – 14:15 (10 min) | Regional dengue epidemiology and situation updates | Yuka Jinnai, Technical Officer, , WHE/HIM, SEARO |
| 14:15 – 14:25 (10 min) | Regional data collection and visualization through a dedicated regional Dengue dashboard | Dr Karin Haar, Medical Officer (Epidemiologist), CDS, SEARO |
| 14:25 – 14:35 (10 min) | OpenWHO e-learning course “Clinical management of dengue patients in the South-East Asia Region" | Dr Aya Yajima, Regional Advisor (NTDs), CDS, SEARO |
| 14:35 – 14:45 (10 min) | Updates on new vector surveillance and control tools and guidance | Dr Rajpal Yadav, WHO Consultant, WHO |
| 14:45 – 14:55 (10 min) | Updates on risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) | Tara Rose Aynsley, Consultant, WHE/CPI, SEARO |
| 14:55 – 15:15 (20 min) | Q&A to WHO and experts | Dr Ananda Wijewickrama, Senior Consultant Physician and President of Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) |