Imagine a world where a mosquito bite could be a death sentence. This isn't a scene from a dystopian novel; it's the increasingly alarming reality of dengue fever, a climate change-fueled disease spreading like wildfire. And it's impacting countries like Vietnam especially hard.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has made it crystal clear: protecting our health is now inextricably linked to tackling climate change. Rising global temperatures and erratic weather patterns are creating ideal breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes, turning what was once a seasonal threat into a year-round crisis. Dengue fever is at the forefront of this battle.
In 2024 alone, dengue infected over 14 million people worldwide, resulting in a staggering 12,000 deaths. What was once considered a seasonal illness is now a constant public health threat. But here's where it gets controversial... Some experts argue that while climate change exacerbates the problem, factors like urbanization and global travel play an equally significant role in dengue's rapid spread. What do you think?
Fueled by climate change, rapid urbanization, and increased international travel, dengue is now one of the fastest-growing mosquito-borne diseases, threatening nearly half of the world's population. Vietnam is among the hardest-hit nations. Rising temperatures, unseasonal rains, and more frequent natural disasters allow Aedes mosquitoes, the dengue carriers, to breed throughout the year. These factors are putting immense strain on Vietnam's healthcare system and fundamentally changing disease patterns across the country.
Enter Takeda, a global biopharmaceutical company with a rich 244-year history, stepping up to the challenge. Recognizing the escalating threat, Takeda has made dengue prevention a top priority. They are actively supporting the development and implementation of the "Roadmap to Advance Dengue Prevention & Control in APEC Economies 2026-2030." This ambitious initiative aims to accelerate progress in dengue prevention by empowering member economies to adopt proactive, coordinated, and context-specific strategies.
The roadmap emphasizes the importance of long-term planning, proactive risk reduction, and robust health system strengthening. It also promotes regional collaboration to achieve the ultimate goal: zero preventable dengue deaths by 2030. And this is the part most people miss... It's not just about treating the disease; it's about building resilient systems that can withstand future outbreaks and other climate-sensitive health challenges.
After more than four decades of dedicated research and development, Takeda's dengue vaccine has been approved in over 40 countries, including Vietnam, where the Ministry of Health granted approval in 2024. With over 18 million doses distributed globally, the vaccine is being rolled out in public programs in Brazil, Argentina, and Indonesia, with five public programmes targeting school children. This reflects the growing recognition of the vaccine's critical role in preventing dengue, a disease for which there is currently no specific cure.
But Takeda's approach goes beyond just vaccine development. The company is actively working to ensure that vaccines reach the people who need them most. They do this through health system strengthening initiatives, public-private partnerships, ensuring reliable supply chains, and implementing effective access strategies.
Takeda also invests in local capacity-building by providing training to healthcare professionals and raising public awareness in collaboration with medical societies and hospitals. Benjamin Ping, general manager of Takeda Vietnam, emphasizes the importance of collaboration: "We are working closely with governments and partners to achieve the WHO's goal of zero preventable dengue deaths by 2030. Addressing climate-driven health challenges requires shared responsibility, long-term commitment, and innovation that truly benefits people and the planet."
Recognizing that human health and planetary health are inextricably linked, Takeda is integrating climate risk management into its global business strategy. The company is committed to achieving net-zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040. This includes ambitious plans to use 100% renewable electricity in the manufacturing of its dengue vaccine by the end of 2025.
For example, at Takeda's dengue vaccine site in Singen, Germany, the company partnered with Schott Pharma and Corplex to recycle plastic transportation trays. This innovative closed-loop system reduces emissions by up to 50% per tray while using 70% recycled content.
In Vietnam, Takeda is aligning its local operations with these global goals by exploring options to reduce its environmental footprint across the country's value chain. Notably, Takeda's Vietnam office has earned both LEED and WELL certifications, demonstrating how thoughtful workplace design can simultaneously support environmental performance and employee wellbeing.
Effectively tackling dengue requires a collaborative, cross-sector approach. Governments provide direction and policy frameworks, non-governmental organizations bring deep community engagement, and companies like Takeda contribute scientific expertise to develop innovative vaccines that address major public health needs safely, swiftly, and at scale.
By working together, sharing knowledge and resources, and aligning on common goals, all sectors can build stronger, more resilient health systems. This integrated approach, combining vaccination, vector control, and health-system strengthening, not only reduces hospitalizations and saves lives but also enhances preparedness for future climate-sensitive diseases.
What role do you think technology will play in combating climate-sensitive diseases like Dengue fever? Are current efforts enough, or do we need a more radical approach? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
