Dengue is no longer a seasonal threat. It is a growing climate-driven crisis. With rising global temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns and rapid urbanisation fuelling the spread of Aedes mosquitoes, dengue outbreaks are becoming more frequent and widespread, even in previously unaffected geographies. In this exclusive BioPharma APAC interview, Gamze Yuceland, President of Growth and Emerging Markets at Takeda, discusses how the convergence of climate change and fragile healthcare systems demands a reimagined approach to prevention. From vaccine innovation to cross-sector partnerships, she outlines a roadmap for building long-term resilience in communities most at risk.

How has climate change specifically altered the epidemiological patterns of dengue in emerging markets over the past decade, and what trends are likely to continue shaping its spread?

Climate change is increasingly becoming a public health risk accelerator—and dengue is one of the clearest examples of this. In the past two decades, global dengue cases have risen sharply from roughly 500,000 in 2000 to more than 6.5 million in 20231. In 2024, the WHO reported 14.3 million cases worldwide, the highest number ever recorded. The majority of these cases – over 13 million – were reported in Latin America2. However, the actual number of cases could be significantly higher as many instances of dengue are either unreported or misdiagnosed.

This is not coincidental. Warmer temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and rapid urbanization have expanded the reach of Aedes mosquitoes and prolonged transmission seasons, particularly in endemic countries3.

We are now seeing outbreaks in places that were previously low-risk—including high-altitude areas and new geographies across Africa, Asia, Latin America and previously unaffected regions such as some parts of Europe and continental US. These shifts are straining already stretched health systems and exposing critical gaps in climate and dengue outbreak preparedness.

The future of public health, especially in emerging markets, depends on how well we connect environmental risk with health equity. We need to fundamentally reframe how we approach vector-borne diseases, viewing them not just as episodic outbreaks but as long-term, climate-sensitive challenges. This means integrating climate data into surveillance systems, investing in community resilience, and driving innovation in prevention and access.

What are the most pressing gaps in healthcare infrastructure across emerging markets that need urgent attention to effectively prevent and respond to dengue outbreaks?

Dengue outbreaks reveal significant gaps in healthcare infrastructure across endemic countries in emerging markets. An estimated 390 million dengue infections occur annually, with 70% of the burden in Asia1. Weak diagnostic capacity, limited disease surveillance, and insufficient resources for mosquito control often delay detection and response4. Additionally, healthcare systems face challenges such as limited hospital capacity and restricted access to vaccines and preventive tools.

Scaling vaccination efforts is urgent, as there is no specific treatment for dengue, which causes up to 500,000 severe cases annually requiring hospital care5. Vaccination for dengue has been shown to help reduce hospitalization by up to 90%, 18 months after vaccination, easing the burden on fragile healthcare systems6. Complementary vector control initiatives, targeting the Aedes mosquitos responsible for transmission, are equally vital to preventive strategies.

In addition, public-private partnerships are critical to addressing these gaps. For instance, in Thailand, Takeda entered a Dengue-Zero memorandum of understanding (MOU) in 2022 with the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, medical associations and like-minded partners. The coalition’s joint efforts span awareness activities, a vector control programme as well as a surveillance system for enhanced dengue prevention and control.   

By adopting an integrated approach encompassing vaccination, vector control, and strengthened healthcare systems, we can help reduce the burden of dengue, a disease that puts nearly 4 billion people at risk worldwide.

What role does community education and engagement play in dengue prevention, and how is Takeda supporting these efforts at the local level?

Sustainable dengue prevention starts with informed and empowered communities. At Takeda, we support several local and regional initiatives focused on health education.

Earlier this year, Takeda launched the “United Against Dengue” (UAD) program in collaboration with The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Asia Pacific7. This multi-year regional collaboration aims to enhance community resilience, promote policy advocacy, and support. As part of community education and increasing disease literacy, we will be building community resilience and readiness through impactful disease education and early preparedness. Efforts include community awareness campaigns, volunteer training using the Epidemic Control for Volunteers toolkit, and hygiene promotion through community engagement. Enhanced surveillance systems and early action protocols will also be introduced to guide community responses and improve outcomes7.

Vaccine confidence can also impact the implementation of vaccination programs. A study conducted on dengue knowledge and vaccine acceptance found that while 72 per cent of respondents recognized the importance of general vaccines, only 41 per cent of Asia Pacific respondents were willing to be vaccinated against dengue8. We need to address this vaccine hesitancy through educational interventions on dengue prevention and control measures. Through our work with the UAD program and other public-private collaborations, we ensure that culturally relevant, science-based education reaches the people who need it most.

Could you share insights into Takeda’s current and upcoming innovations or access initiatives aimed at improving prevention and treatment of dengue in underserved regions?

Dengue remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in underserved regions. Our Takeda dengue vaccine is currently approved for use regardless of prior dengue infection9. This innovation allows for broader immunization without the need for pre-vaccination screening. This is especially important in high-burden areas where timely protection is critical. To date, our vaccine has been authorized in over 40 countries, with more than 15 million doses distributed globally. Our clinical data show that it is effective against all four dengue virus serotypes, contributing to a significant reduction in both hospitalizations and symptomatic cases5.

In 2024, Takeda’s dengue vaccine inclusion in the WHO’s List of Prequalified Vaccines marked a pivotal step, enabling procurement through key partners such as UNICEF, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) to expand access where it’s needed most10. Public campaigns are underway in Peru and Honduras, while in Brazil, our dengue vaccine is integrated into the national immunization program, prioritizing adolescents, one of the most vulnerable groups. These efforts are complemented by partnerships with UNICEF focused on education, hygiene, and prevention in endemic areas11.

By collaborating with governments, NGOs, and global health agencies, we are ensuring equitable and sustainable access, supported by tiered pricing models. Expanding vaccine inclusion in national programs remains our priority, as we work to lessen the disease’s devastating impact.

How important are cross-sector collaborations among governments, NGOs, and the private sector in building resilient health systems capable of addressing vector-borne diseases like dengue?

No single group can tackle a challenge like dengue alone. Governments set the direction and policies, NGOs have deep roots in communities, and companies like Takeda research and develop innovative vaccines addressing major public help needs safely with speed and scale. When we all come together to share knowledge, resources, and goals, we can build stronger health systems. We’ve seen firsthand how powerful these partnerships can be through our partnerships with the Global Fund, and local health ministries12. Shared accountability and joint action are needed to build health systems that are both responsive and resilient.

For example, Indonesia is aiming for zero deaths from dengue fever by 203014. To achieve this, we are working with partners across both public and private sectors to combat dengue. We are supporting provincial vaccination programs for children, working hand-in-hand with the government to raise awareness of dengue and develop new predictive modeling13. Takeda is also proud to be one of the key innovators in the KOBAR Lawan Dengue Coalition in Indonesia, working alongside the World Mosquito Program—developers of Wolbachia technology and Bio Farma to help prevent dengue transmission.

In Thailand, in cooperation with the government, we are using digital technology to support public awareness and build a database to help predict new dengue outbreaks15.

Looking ahead, what steps do you believe are critical for emerging markets to build long-term resilience against the growing threat of mosquito-borne diseases exacerbated by climate shifts?

We need to stop thinking of dengue as just a seasonal issue because it is becoming a year-round threat in many places2. With this, we can shift from being reactive to proactive – rather than focusing on treating it as an emergency response. We have to focus on building sustainable health systems that can prevent, manage, and treat diseases. It also means better data collection, trained healthcare workers, and access to innovative tools like vaccines and mosquito control16. Most importantly, we need to see this threat as part of the bigger picture: climate change, urbanization, and public health are all connected17. Countries that align public health strategies with climate action plans will be better prepared for the future.

References

1. World Health Organization (WHO). Dengue and Severe Dengue. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue
2. WHO Global Dengue Surveillance. Retrieved from https://worldhealthorg.shinyapps.io/dengue_global/ 
3. Abbasi, Ebrahim. “The Impact of Climate Change on Travel-Related Vector-Borne Diseases: A Case Study on Dengue Virus Transmission.” Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, vol. 65, no. 102841, 19 Mar. 2025, p. 102841, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S147789392500047X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102841.
4. World Health Organization. Dengue – disease outbreak news. WHO. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2023-DON498
5. World Health Organization. Dengue and severe dengue (fact sheet). WHO. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue
6. The Lancet. Efficacy of a tetravalent dengue vaccine in healthy children aged 4–16 years: a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Retrieved from https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30414-1/abstract
7. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). United Against Dengue Program. Retrieved from https://www.ifrc.org/article/ifrc-and-takeda-initiate-united-against-dengue-alliance-combat-escalating-threat-dengue
8. MDPI.com. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices toward Dengue Fever, Vector Control, and Vaccine Acceptance Among the General Population in Countries from Latin America and Asia Pacific: A Cross-Sectional Study (GEMKAP). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11030575
9. Takeda Pharmaceuticals. QDENGA Overview. Retrieved from https://www.takeda.com/newsroom/newsreleases/2022/takedas-qdenga-dengue-tetravalent-vaccine-live-attenuated-approved-for-use-in-european-union/
10. WHO Prequalification for Dengue Vaccines. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/15-05-2024-who-prequalifies-new-dengue-vaccine
11. UNICEF. Efforts on Hygiene and Vaccine Equity. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/partnerships/takeda 
12. Global Fund Partnership Impact. Retrieved from https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/private-ngo-partners/profiles/takeda
13. Takeda 2025 Integrated Annual Report. Rolling out our dengue fever vaccine in affected communities. Retrieved from https://www.takeda.com/investors/annual-integrated-report  
14. Indonesia.Go.ID. Indonesia Targetkan Nol Kematian Dengue 2030 lewat Transformasi Sistem Kesehatan. Retrieved from https://indonesia.go.id/kategori/editorial/9568/indonesia-targets-zero-dengue-deaths-by-2030-through-health-system-transformation 
15. Healthcare Asia. Takeda Pharmaceutical’s Thailand dengue awareness campaign paves the way for future public health communication. Retrieved from https://healthcareasiamagazine.com/co-written-partner/event-news/takeda-pharmaceuticals-thailand-dengue-awareness-campaign-paves-way-future-public-health-communication 
16. AVPN. ADVANCING ACCESS & STRENGTHENING DENGUE RESPONSE. Retrieved from https://avpn.asia/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Advancing-Access-Strengthening-Dengue-Response-Lessons-from-Tamil-Nadu-Karnataka.pdf

Sumanta Das, Malini Roy Choudhury, Bhagyasree Chatterjee, Pinanki Das, Sandeep Bagri, Debashis Paul, Mahadev Bera, Suman Dutta. Unraveling the urban climate crisis: Exploring the nexus of urbanization, climate change, and their impacts on the environment and human well-being – A global perspective[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2024, 11(3): 963-1001. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2024050