With the monsoon season approaching and dengue risk set to rise, global and regional health stakeholders have called for urgent measures to address gaps in diagnosis, treatment and preparedness across South and South-East Asia, where an estimated 390 million infections occur annually without specific therapeutic options.
A high-level dialogue held in New Delhi, convened by Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) in collaboration with Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), World Health Organization South-East Asia Region and Dengue Alliance partners, focused on strengthening regional capacity for dengue care and accelerating the development of effective treatments.
The Dengue Alliance includes institutions such as Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, Siriraj Hospital and Mahidol University in Thailand, and Brazil’s Oswaldo Cruz Foundation and Federal University of Minas Gerais, among others. The initiative aims to advance collaboration on research, policy and funding to support the development of dengue therapeutics and improve regional preparedness, with India positioned as a key partner.
The meeting brought together representatives from government bodies, research institutions, regulators, multilateral organisations, industry and civil society, including the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Indian Council of Medical Research, the World Bank, NITI Aayog and Serum Institute of India.
Experts highlighted that while India has made progress in strengthening public health systems, advancing vaccine development—including late-stage trials of an indigenous tetravalent dengue vaccine—and enabling public-private partnerships, a significant gap remains due to the lack of approved therapeutic options.
According to WHO South-East Asia officials, the region accounts for more than half of the global dengue burden, with over 1.3 billion people at risk. Beyond the health impact, dengue also imposes economic costs through lost productivity and income, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
The timing of the discussions is critical, as monsoon conditions typically lead to a surge in Aedes aegypti populations, driving higher transmission. India reported over 289,000 dengue cases in 2023, although experts note that actual numbers are likely higher due to underreporting and gaps in surveillance.
Participants emphasised the need for an integrated response combining improved diagnostics, vaccine access, therapeutic development, financing and stronger health systems. Particular focus was placed on high-risk groups such as children, pregnant women and low-income communities, where limited access to timely care can lead to severe outcomes and increased economic burden.
The dialogue featured more than 30 speakers across sessions covering surveillance, vaccines, diagnostics, financing and health system resilience, with stakeholders calling for sustained collaboration to translate policy discussions into actionable outcomes.