Dengue Without Borders: How Collaboration Determines Control -

Abstract

When I was only two months old, dengue almost took m y father's life, even though he was a
doctor. I was too young to recall the experience, but that tragedy sparked a controversy i n my
mind: if dengue is a disease w e understand s o well, why are w e still failing t o control it? In
Indonesia, that question is far from theoretical. As of 1 July 2024, Indonesia had already
reported a staggering 149.866 confirmed dengue cases and 884 deaths, nearly three times
higher than the same period in 2023, despite years of intervention.
Dengue i s dangerously underestimated as a viral infection transmitted by Aedes aegypti
mosquitoes, even though a single bite could rapidly progress to severe bleeding, shock, and
death. Hence, the myths persist that dengue i s simply "seasonal". I n reality, the World Health
Organization notes that dengue transmission is rising due to urbanization, human mobility,
poor sanitation, and global warming. This once "tropical" disease has even made its way t o
Europe, with 130 locally acquired cases recorded i n 2023. Showing rising temperatures are
redrawing the map of risk.
No country can control dengue alone, not when it i s slowly infiltrating the world map. In
April 2025, Indonesia's multisource surveillance efforts brought together over 50 experts
from health authorities, climate agencies, researchers, and international partners including
Singapore National Environment Agency to strengthen carly detection and response. Now
imagine this collaboration existed i n every dengue-prone country. More importantly if that
same information did not stop at larger institutions, but reaches the vulnerable through social
media campaigns and active social outreach. This helps translate surveillance into action by
improving carly detection, prevention, and care-seeking behavior. My father survived dengue,
but many others are not a s fortunate. W e understand dengue too well to let survival depend on
timing, access, or luck.