Abstract
Member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have faced dengue outbreaks for decades, and the region has one of the highest rates of dengue globally. Outbreaks continue to occur concurrently with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the 10 ASEAN countries. Both infectious diseases pose a tremendous burden in these countries related to both infection control and the economy. Increases in the number of dengue cases occurred in part due to disruptions in the pathogen-host-vector relationship caused by changes in human behaviour in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The spread of dengue was further aggravated by the implementation of lockdowns and social distancing policies. These measures limited the coverage of dengue preventive programs and delayed the medical management of both diseases due to co-infection and misdiagnosis. It is of the utmost importance for the population to remain aware of both diseases, and dengue vector control strategies must be devised to properly address outbreaks using digitalization and remote surveillance. Similarly, critical triage algorithms and further research are also needed to combat co-infection and misdiagnosis. Controlling the spread of COVID-19 though vaccination should also be undertaken to reduce the impact of the pandemic.
Highlights
The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, continues to affect populations on a global scale
COVID-19 has posed a challenge for controlling dengue infection, which has led to an increased burden of dengue in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries that in turn has undermined the region’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic
Dengvaxia is the only commercially available vaccine that produces immunity against all 4 dengue serotypes. It is a live, attenuated vaccine that is only recommended for individuals who have previously been infected with dengue
Summary
The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, continues to affect populations on a global scale. The ASEAN region has seen a 46% increase in dengue cases from 2015 to 2019, with Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand being some of the most highly endemic countries in the world. The worsening state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region poses a challenge for authorities who have made substantial efforts throughout the years to mitigate the impact of dengue.
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