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Prof Malavige predicts dengue will get worse with climate change unless…

Published

3 years ago

2022/11/11

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The impact of dengue will probably get worse due to climate change, Professor Neelika Malavige of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Head of Dengue Global Programme and Scientific Affairs, Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) has said recently at a conference organized by DNDi in Thailand.

The conference was held in parallel to the 20th International Congress for Tropical Medicine and Malaria (ICTMM). DNDi is a non-profit drug research and development (R&D) organization that is developing new treatments for neglected diseases like dengue.

Professor Malavige said that as the world got warmer, dengue would spread to Europe and North America. She added that dengue fever had become increasingly common in recent decades worldwide with around 390 million infections occurring each year. Climate change had been identified by WHO and other national, and international health authorities as one of the primary causes of the global spread of dengue fever and other Aedes aegypti-transmitted viral infections, she said.

“The weather has an impact on vector-borne illnesses. Rainfall and ambient temperature are referred to as macro factors that influence dengue since they directly impact Aedes aegypti population density,” Prof. Malavige said.

The population density of Aedes aegypti declines when the average temperature is lower.

“The larval development time, larval and adult survival, and duration of the gonotrophic cycle of the dengue vector are directly affected by climatic factors such as ambient temperatures, rainfall, and relative humidity. Vectors are increasing due to increasing temperature. As temperature increases the mosquitoes mature faster, giving them more time to spread the disease,” she said.

On the other hand, increasing population, lifestyle changes and uncontrolled urbanization are also reasons for the rapid global spatial spread of dengue, she said.

“Risk factors like obesity, and diabetes are also increasing among the people. Those with these diseases are more likely to suffer from more serious forms of dengue.”

Doctors and medical administrators in countries with dengue were efficient in managing the disease and this explains why the mortality is lower. However, when there was an overload of cases, the system monitoring and evaluating dengue patients for severity suffers because keeping an eye on each patients becomes an impossibility, Professor Malavige said. “There is a shift in the age of those who get infected. Earlier it was a disease that children got. Now you can find patients from all age groups,” she said.

Commenting on attempts to develop a vaccine for dengue, most recently by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Professor Malavige said that the data available looked promising. The vaccine could be soon registered in Latin America and Asia. The current data shows that it reduces hospitalization by about 80%. This is similar to the effectiveness of COVID vaccine, although long term safety data for a dengue vaccine is needed for all serotypes. However, it is unfortunate that there is not yet a designated treatment for dengue.

“Dengue is a disease of the low income countries. Infection of the developing world. Each year hundreds of millions of people are affected by dengue but there is still no treatment for it. Would we have a vaccine so fast if COVID too was a disease of the low income countries? The amount of research done on COVID for the last two years is immense. Not even 10% of the research volume has been directed for dengue. There are not enough funds for dengue research. Global North has done some research but the researchers are far away from the disease. The perspective will be different if they too had to live with dengue,” she said.

Dr. Isabela Ribeiro, Viral Diseases Cluster Director, DNDi said that countries of the Global South must cooperate with each other to find a cure for dengue. There are a number of pharmaceutical powerhouses in the Global South and they can work together to find a cure, she said.

“The World Health Organization’s (WHO) report on neglected tropical diseases, ‘A road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030’ does not mention a treatment for dengue. Their focus is on vaccines and vector control,” she said.

Meanwhile, Jean-Michel Piedagnel, South-East Asia Director, DNDi said that while taking steps to prevent dengue, from vector control to using mosquito repellant was important, it should not be allowed to mask the fact that there was no treatment.

“There is no treatment because there is not enough funding. We must not forget that. Each year hundreds of millions are affected by dengue. They deserve treatment,” he said.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

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Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

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PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)