The escalating global dengue crisis demands urgent attention, with a tenfold increase in cases over the past two decades. In the WHO South-East Asia Region, outbreaks are becoming more frequent and unpredictable, affecting nine out of ten Member States. The situation is particularly dire in countries like Bangladesh and Thailand, where case numbers have skyrocketed. This surge is driven by multiple factors, including the changing distribution of Aedes mosquitoes, climate change, and the co-circulation of different dengue serotypes. These factors make dengue harder to control and predict, highlighting the need for innovative surveillance strategies.
Enter genomic surveillance, a powerful tool that goes beyond case detection. By analyzing the genetic makeup of dengue viruses, scientists can track emerging variants, understand transmission patterns, and inform vaccine development and outbreak response. To enhance this approach, the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) and CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) recently hosted a regional workshop on dengue genomics. This intensive training program brought together experts from Bhutan, Nepal, and Timor-Leste to strengthen their capacity in genomic surveillance.
The workshop focused on three key objectives: improving technical skills in dengue genomic sequencing, standardizing bioinformatics analysis across countries, and translating genomic data into actionable public health strategies. By working together on shared datasets and tools, participants not only enhanced their technical expertise but also laid the foundation for a more integrated regional surveillance network. This collaborative approach is crucial for early outbreak detection and targeted response strategies, especially in a region facing a growing dengue burden.
"Dengue genomic surveillance is no longer an academic pursuit; it's a public health imperative," said Dhamari Naidoo, a public health laboratory scientist at WHO SEARO. "This workshop showcases the power of regional collaboration. Countries that lacked this capacity now have the tools to contribute to a regional genomic intelligence network, strengthening our ability to protect vulnerable populations."
The workshop aligns with various global health initiatives, including the Sustainable Development Goals, the WHO Global Vector Control Response, and the Decade of Action for Neglected Tropical Diseases. By addressing surveillance gaps and building regional partnerships, such initiatives move us closer to a coordinated and effective response to the dengue crisis. The knowledge and skills gained through this workshop will directly contribute to a growing regional dataset, informing science-led interventions and ultimately saving lives.
