2022/07/13

  • News Release
  • Sustainability

The Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, and Kao, increases public-private cooperation with the launch of ASEAN Dengue Day 2022 Under the theme "Harness Innovation to Stop Dengue"

On 15 June 2022, the Honorable Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, presided over the opening of ASEAN Dengue Day 2022 with the theme of "ASEAN's Resilience Against Dengue Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: Harness Innovation to Stop Dengue." This year's event, which aims for the Ministry of Public Health to rapidly detect dengue germs in all thirteen districts, was joined by Dr. Thongchai Lertwilairatanapong, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, and Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, marking significant public and private cooperation with support from Kao Industrial (Thailand) Co., Ltd.; Takeda (Thailand) Co. Ltd.; the Embassy of Japan in Thailand; the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC); the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand; Amata Corporation Public Company Limited; the Dengue-Zero MOU; CP ALL Public Company Limited; and the Panyapiwat Institute of Management, in a combined effort to increase awareness about preventing dengue fever and lowering the number of patients and deaths in the future at the Panyapiwat Institute of Management, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi.

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Mr. Anutin said, "ASEAN Dengue Day has been observed annually every 15th of June as a key public health concern in Thailand and ASEAN because it is an endemic disease throughout the region. Solving the problems of dengue fever requires cooperation from all sectors, especially people and communities, to help destroy the breeding grounds of mosquito larvae together with collection and prevention efforts."

"The theme of ASEAN Dengue Day 2022 is 'Harness Innovation to Stop Dengue.' The innovations that will be highlighted include upgrading the processing of diagnosis, reporting, treatment, and disease control. Today, we are unveiling the innovative rapid detection of dengue germs (NS1) and a mosquito trap in addition to having inspectors at the Ministry of Public Health in all thirteen districts expanding their use to provide coverage in all areas. The goal is to reduce the number of dengue cases and deaths. This substantial cooperation between public and private agencies will help Thailand become a sustainable zero-dengue society," noted Mr. Anutin.

Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, said, "The World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that incidences of dengue fever globally have risen dramatically in the past decade while 70% of people at risk of contracting dengue were in Asia. In Thailand, dengue fever is endemic throughout the year, whereas the peak period is during the rainy season. The time-series modeling of accumulated dengue fever cases found that the number of cases in 2022 will be higher than last year because in 2021, there were just a few outbreaks, while the outbreak of dengue fever will be an epidemic every year or every two years. The modeling also found that the high risk of death is among senior citizens, people with chronic diseases, and those who are overweight. This year, we are unveiling an innovative rapid detection of dengue germs, called NS1, to quickly find patients and manage epidemics, and it works similarly to the ATK test kit for COVID-19. Another innovation is a mosquito trap, which is convenient for people to use at home. This local innovation can reduce the density of Aedes mosquitoes around the house."

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Dr. Yoshihiro Hasebe, President and CEO of Kao Corporation, said, "Kao is committed to saving lives and protecting people by focusing on three topics: First, 'ecology' to preserve natural resources. Second, 'everyday lives' to make people live healthy lives. And third, 'life' to maintain well-being, particularly against infections, diseases and by preventing epidemics. Due to the increased incidences of dengue fever in ASEAN, Kao developed innovative mosquito repellent products to save future lives and keep people around the world safe from diseases, acting on the 'Kirei—Making Life Beautiful' concept."

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Mr. Peter Streibl, General Manager of Takeda (Thailand) Limited said, "Dengue is a disease that causes a substantial loss on medical resources, an economic burden, and deaths, making this a critical challenge to public health. Takeda recognizes the burden and problems that dengue fever has caused and also wants to play a pivotal role in keeping Thais safe from this disease. We are, therefore, pleased to be part of this important effort to drive Thailand to becoming a zero-dengue society. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Dengue-Zero cooperation, we will work closely with a network of partners in health care services, including both public and private organizations, to achieve this goal, in which Takeda provides multi-dimensional support to improve relevant workforce performance and promote public awareness and a better understanding of the dangers of dengue fever that lead to the most effective prevention efforts for the upcoming ASEAN Dengue Day."

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For more information, please contact Corporate Communications

Kao Industrial (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
O-NES Tower, 14th floor, 6, Soi Sukhumvit 6, Klongtoey Sub-District,
Klongtoey District, Bangkok 10110
Contact person: Corporate Communications

02 655 4455 Ext. 116-117 (Available Monday to Friday from 9.00am. - 5.00pm.)
(Except weekend and public holiday)
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