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

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3 years ago

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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 likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western, Northern and North- central provinces and in Monaragala district

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56 mins ago

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2026/03/27

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 March 2026, valid for 27 March 2026.

Thw Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western, Northern and North-
central 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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A strong Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system equips individuals with practical, relevant, and future-oriented skills helping to innovate responsibly towards a greener and sustainable future – PM

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13 hours ago

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2026/03/26

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The Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated as the Chief Guest in the international conference on ’Transforming TVET Systems for climate resilience and green jobs’ organized by Colombo Plan Staff College, Philippines together with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Sri Lanka on 24 th of March at Courtyard by Marriott Colombo, Sri Lanka.

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The Conference features technical and plenary sessions on climate-responsive TVET systems, green skills development, national policy frameworks, and emerging technologies shaping industry transformation.

Addressing at the event, the Prime Minister emphasized the role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) that equips individuals with practical, relevant, and future-oriented skills in addressing climate change and shaping a sustainable future.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that this transformation remains a national priority for Sri Lanka. She stressed that education must go beyond knowledge dissemination to empower individuals with opportunities, dignity, and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to society.

She further emphasized the need to integrate environmental sustainability into education and training systems by embedding green skills in curricula, investing in modern training facilities, promoting innovation, and fostering collaboration between training institutions and emerging green industries.

Highlighting the importance of ensuring equity the Prime Minister further stated, that opportunities arising from the green transition must be accessible to all, including youth, young women, people with special needs, and marginalized communities.

Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to working closely with regional and international partnerships, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of transforming them to actual benefits and partnerships.

The occasion was attended by the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education  Nalaka Kaluwewa, Additional Secretary (Vocational Training) Ms. Samanthi Senanayake Director General Colombo Plan Staff College Prof. Dr. Suresh K. Dhameja , TVET administrators, institutional leaders, policymakers, instructors, industry representatives, and international delegates from across the region and seniors officials and officials from Ministries.

(Prime Minister’s Media division)

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PM reviews progress of the committee appointed for the establishment of a National Nursing University

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13 hours ago

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2026/03/26

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A discussion to review the current progress of the special committee appointed under the government’s policy proposals to establish a National Nursing University aimed at elevating the nursing profession in Sri Lanka to degree level was held on 23rd of March at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister inquired into the progress made by the committee in relation to the establishment of the Nursing University and paid attention to the issues and views presented by the committee members.

Emphasizing that establishing a university is a long-term and complex process, the Prime Minister pointed out the importance of advancing this project in line with higher education standards, without hasty decisions, while also taking into account the existing conflicts and challenges within the university system.

The meeting was attended by the Vice Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Professor K. L. Wasantha Kumara, representatives of the All Ceylon Nurses’ Association, and officials from the Ministry of Health and Mass Media.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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