SEA/RC61/11 - Responding to emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases
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WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia
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The paper outlines the growing burden of emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases in the South-East Asia (SEA) Region. To prevent the emergence of new vector-borne diseases and re-emergence of those already under control, it is essential to strengthen national vector control programmes. Regional guidelines and activities have been put in place to bring together measures to combat vector-borne diseases such as malaria, lymphatic filariasis, leishmaniasis, dengue, Japanese encephalitis and chikungunya, etc. Most Member countries of the SEA Region have appropriate surveillance systems for vector-borne diseases including monitoring of drug resistance in the case of malaria and kala-azar. However, given their epidemiological profile, prevention and control of all vector-borne diseases should be addressed comprehensively under an effective national programme. WHO has developed a regional integrated vector control strategy. Global climate changes, emerging drug resistance and development of paediatric dengue vaccine etc. are the main challenges of the future. WHO is playing a pivotal role in capacity building, advocacy, partnerships and operational research. This paper was submitted to the Meeting of the Advisory Committee (ACM) held in the Regional Office, New Delhi from 30 June–3 July 2008. The ACM made the following recommendations: Action by Member States (1) To accelerate the development and implementation of national vector-borne disease control programmes that are consistent with the regional strategy for vector-borne disease control; (2) To promote intersectoral collaboration and coordination with other ministries, such as environment, education, tourism, rural development and agriculture for the implementation of vector-borne disease control programmes; (3) To enhance intercountry cooperation through multicountry activities (MCAs) to establish and strengthen linkages between researchers and academic institutions; (4) To strengthen internal and cross-border surveillance to assess the burden of vector-borne diseases; (5) To scale up effective interventions to prevent emergence of drug-resistant malaria in Member countries; (6) To implement kala-azar and lymphatic filariasis elimination programmes to achieve the regional target; (7) To incorporate Japanese encephalitis immunization programmes into the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), where appropriate; (8) To implement and monitor an effective integrated vector management programme; and (9) To explore the use of global funds available for malaria for a collective response to other vector-borne diseases. Action by WHO/SEARO (1) To provide educational training, technical support and advocacy for the mobilization of additional financial resources for strengthening the vector-borne disease control programme; (2) To collaborate with the Regional Office for the Western Pacific in implementation of the strategic plan for the prevention and control of dengue in the Asia-Pacific region; (3) To provide technical support to accelerate development of paediatric dengue vaccine; (4) To support Member countries in assessing the disease burden and transmission pattern through disease and vector surveillance, including drug-resistance monitoring; (5) To strengthen intersectoral collaboration between Member countries and stakeholders to share information concerning prevention and control of vectorborne diseases; (6) To support Member countries in establishing pharmacovigilance for kala-azar and malaria; (7) To promote operational research as a key priority in the area of vector-borne disease management; and (8) To develop a regional strategic plan and guidelines for the management of chikungunya. The paper is now submitted to the Sixty-first Session of the Regional Committee for its consideration.