After experiencing the most severe dengue outbreak in 2015, Taiwan began to refine dengue prevention efforts. The numbers of dengue cases in 2016 and 2017 significantly decreased after the aggressive implementation of various refined measures. The outcomes were internationally recognized and helped successfully secure the APEC funding for the APEC Conference on Severe Dengue Prevention and Strategies for Reducing Disease Burden. The conference will be held in Evergreen Plaza Hotel (Tainan) during May 3 and 4, 2018. Dengue experts from the Asia-Pacific region have been invited to participate in the conference and discuss the latest dengue prevention technologies and future prospects. The conference aims to establish a disease control network platform through partnering with the countries in the Asia-Pacific region, improve the regional capacity to tackle dengue, and ensure global health security.

During the 2015 dengue outbreak, over 40,000 cases, including 228 deaths, occurred. The outbreak did not only affect the health and wellbeing of the people, but also caused widespread social disruption and economic losses. Recognizing that proper strategies and timing for intervention to control dengue can effectively reduce its spread, we began to implement prevention and control measures earlier and established the Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center to develop evidence-based prevention tools for the frontline workers. In 2016 and 2017, the numbers of dengue cases occurred in Taiwan dropped significantly. Only 10 indigenous cases occurred in 2017, which was the lowest in two decades.

26 delegates from 10 countries, including Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, Mexico, Vietnam, and Papua New Guinea are participating in this workshop. The participants will discuss the challenges of dengue control strategies and the current situation concerning the effect of global warming on vectors and dengue pandemics. They will be introduced to the latest development in surveillance systems, environmental management and vector control, pilot studies of drugs and vaccine development for dengue treatment and prevention in order to enhance APEC economies capacity building in dengue prevention and clinical case management. On top of that, a site visit to the Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center has also been arranged for the participants. In addition, posters showcasing the participants’ achievements in dengue prevention efforts are on display at the conference venue.

Due to climate change, globalization, and urbanization, the threats posed by dengue become increasingly severe. Considering the urgent need for APEC members to take appropriate actions against the growing dengue epidemic, this conference aims to provide APEC economies with a platform to share and discuss the latest information and technologies on dengue prevention and control, which will help establish a communication network that facilitates and promotes regional collaboration, improve the regional capacity to detect and respond to dengue outbreaks, and formulate effective prevention strategies against challenges posed by more severe dengue outbreaks in the future.