DENGUE is the most widely distributed and rapidly spreading mosquito-borne infectious disease, with an estimated 390 million infections each year in more than 100 countries.
The disease is exacerbated by climate change, rapid urbanisation and population growth.
Half the world's population is at risk of dengue, which is classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the top 10 threats to public health.
Despite its prevalence, there is currently no specific treatment, leaving individuals at risk of developing severe and potentially fatal complications.
The Health Ministry, through the Institute of Medical Research, organised the Dengue Research Visibility Day 2024 on March 4 in collaboration with Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM).
The inaugural event called for a shared commitment by nations and organisations in addressing the pressing global health challenge posed by dengue.
The collaborative efforts of the Health Ministry with DNDi and other dengue-endemic countries are encapsulated in the Dengue Alliance, a global partnership launched in 2022, with dengue endemic countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, India and Brazil, taking a leadership role in therapeutic and diagnostic research endeavours.
The alliance is dedicated to developing affordable and accessible treatments for dengue, advancing pre-clinical development of new drug candidates, and conducting clinical trials to test the most promising ones.
"Dengue, a climate-sensitive neglected tropical disease, demands immediate attention.
"Our collaborative approach with endemic countries through the Dengue Alliance is revolutionary, allowing these countries to lead their own research efforts to find urgently needed treatments for dengue," says DNDi Southeast Asia director Jean-Michel Piedagnel.
Within Malaysia, CRM and DNDi are collaborating with IMR and the Institute for Clinical Research on collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing preclinical investigations of potential treatments, testing the efficacy of several repurposed drug candidates, and implementing clinical trials of the most promising ones.
"The primary focus is on conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials with the aim of bringing cost-effective and accessible treatments to fruition within the next five years," says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Simultaneously, these organisations will coordinate efforts to address knowledge gaps and expedite clinical research to meet unmet needs.
