The Second International Conference on Dengue and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever, Opening Remarks, 15-17 October 2008, WHO/SEARO, New Delhi.

Opening Remarks By Dr Samlee Plianbangchang Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia At The Second International Conference on Dengue and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever Phuket, Thailand 15-17 October 2008 The Second International Conference on Dengue and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever 15-17 October 2008 Phuket, Thailand Opening Remarks by DR SAMLEE PLIANBANGCHANG REGIONAL DIRECTOR, WHO SOUTH-EAST ASIA Honourable Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, Mr Prat Boonyawongvirot; distinguished participants; honourable guests; ladies and gentlemen: It is my pleasure to convey greetings from WHO to all of you here. This conference is indeed timely, in view of the fact that dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever are becoming a more and more serious public health problem in Asia and the Pacific. Dengue mortality may not be high, but its morbidity and disease burden are posing an important concern. In addition to health impact, its social and economic implications are also remarkable. Environmental, ecological and demographic changes have brought about significant epidemiological transition and transmission of dengue. This situation contributes to the increasing difficulty in its prevention and control. Outbreaks of dengue have become more frequent, more explosive, and sweeping across international borders. Dengue is increasingly a regional and global health concern, which requires national priority attention and stronger international collaboration. It is, therefore, timely indeed to deliberate on the theme of “Global Innovation to Fight Dengue”. I would like to congratulate the organizers for selecting this theme for discussions during this Conference. 2 Almost eight years ago, at the First International Conference, we agreed on a declaration to “Hold Hands together to protect our Children from Dengue”. Today, we are still struggling for effective protection of our children from the disease. To be effective in dengue prevention and control and in light of the current changes, we need “improved tools” and an “improved strategy”. We need better tools for effective control of “its vector”. And we need effective vaccine against dengue for protecting our children. Certainly, we still need to further improve tools for case management. Prevention of dengue, as far as the currently available interventions is concerned, is difficult. Dengue prevention requires community action, with strong community leadership and commitment, and it needs strong multisectoral cooperation, which are usually not easy to come by. This is indeed a challenging task; therefore, more concerted efforts are needed. What we have been longing for for a long time is an effective dengue vaccine, especially for children. There are several groups of scientists and researchers working hard towards the development of this vaccine. Effective vaccine against dengue is the only tool to ensure protection of our children. I wish those scientists and researchers all the best and all success in their endeavours in accomplishing this scientifically difficult task. We should acknowledge that children in the world will greatly benefit from the noble efforts of the scientific community in this regard. At present, an estimated 2.5 billion people are at risk of dengue globally. Out of this estimate, 1.8 billion, or about 70%, are in the Asia-Pacific Region. And this Region shoulders nearly 75% of the global disease burden due to dengue. There is no doubt, therefore, that dengue is a serious health and social problem in this part of the world. As we all know, the epidemiological dynamism of dengue is changing, and its endemicity is expanding more and more to new areas. Many factors are involved in the expansion of dengue endemicity, and these factors contribute to its frequent and explosive outbreaks. 3 These factors include: • Globalization and climate change; • Improper water management at household and community levels; • Uncontrolled urbanization; • Unregulated development activities; and • Ease and increasing frequency of travel. To repeat, it is clearly evident that dengue can easily spread internationally. Intercountry cooperation is therefore necessary for effective prevention and control of dengue at the regional level. Yes, for a long time we have been developing effective tools for dengue prevention and control. Several success stories in the use of such tools have been documented. However, it is paradoxical that in spite of those tools, the severity of dengue outbreaks is increasing. It is therefore time to seriously consider that the tools currently in use need critical review, and improved tools need to be developed. This International Conference is the right platform to deliberate on these issues. At the same time, for effective prevention and control of dengue, the importance of partnerships cannot be underestimated. Partnerships within health sector, and partnerships with other sectors, such as environment, education, law and tourism, are critically essential. Certainly, partnerships among countries; and among international organizations need to be further strengthened. Prevention and control of dengue is everyone’s responsibility. And this prevention and control requires unwavering political commitment from the governments. It also needs continuous support from national and local authorities. 4 To reverse the rising trend of dengue in Asia and the Pacific, WHO developed Dengue Strategic Plan (2008-2015). This plan was conceived through a series of consultations with National Dengue Control Programme Managers in the Region, held in 2007 and 2008. The WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, at its 61st session held last September, reviewed this strategic plan. Among others, the Committee urged Member States to vigorously implement the plan, with particular attention to the use of the PHC approach. In addition, with close cooperation among concerned agencies and organizations, the Asia-Pacific Dengue Partnerships was established. These partnerships are now playing a vital role in undertaking advocacy. Partnerships are the cornerstone for resource mobilization to support implementation of national and regional dengue control programmes. The innovation for improved tools, for which we are working, is to further strengthen our efforts in dengue prevention and control. Among these efforts are; • Outbreak prediction; • Early case detection; • Preparedness and response to outbreaks; and • Effective case management. We need studies and research in many areas, such as: • Vaccine development; • Epidemiology and transmission patterns; • Vector management; • Treatment of cases; 5 • Social and behavioural aspects of prevention and control; and • Programme development and management. Results of such studies and research will be very useful in fine-tuning and revising policies, strategies and intervention methods. A wide range of related subjects are reflected in the programme of work of the Conference. This Conference is one of the best forums for knowledge and experience sharing, as well as for information exchange. The deliberations during the course of the Conference, hopefully, will lead to the development of improved tools and strategy for dengue prevention and control. I would like to take this opportunity to urge our financial partners to give favourable consideration to generous support for the implementation of the recommendations derived from these deliberations. These partners include the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Support from these and other partners is indispensable indeed to the next steps towards effective prevention and control of dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever in Asia and the Pacific. With these words, ladies and gentlemen, I wish the Conference all the best and all success. And I wish all participants an enjoyable stay in this vibrant city of Phuket. Thank you.