Tackling Rising Vector-Borne Disease in Asia-Pacific: Scaling Innovation for Impact

Tackling Rising Vector-Borne Disease in Asia-Pacific: Scaling Innovation for Impact

Vector-borne diseases are surging across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with dengue cases reaching record highs and malaria continuing to threaten vulnerable communities. Climate change, urbanization, and increased mosquito resistance to traditional control methods are fueling the expansion of disease-spreading mosquito populations, intensifying the challenge for public health authorities.

Oxitec is proud to be collaborating with industry leaders across Asia to advance and scale the next generation of biological solutions to combat these escalating threats.

In January, we joined the International Conference on Vector-Borne Disease in Chennai, India (Jan 21-24) as Gold Sponsors, where we had the honour of presenting the first-ever Oxitec Climate and Health Changemaker Award to Dr Prasanta Saini from the ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre for his pioneering work in vector control research. His efforts exemplify the urgent need for scalable, sustainable, and targeted solutions to fight vector-borne diseases in the region.

With climate change accelerating the spread of invasive mosquitoes, Oxitec and its partners are stepping up. Our Friendly™ mosquitoes are already protecting communities in Brazil from dengue-spreading Aedes aegypti, demonstrating a proven, safe, and effective biological control approach. Now, we are scaling Sparks™—harnessing Wolbachia, a dengue-blocking technology—to expand impact across Asia.

With dengue on the rise across India, Thailand, the Philippines, and beyond, and malaria threatening new urban frontiers, the need for innovative, field-ready solutions has never been greater. We look forward to forging new partnerships to bring world-leading, scalable solutions to communities most at risk and to working together to turn the tide against vector-borne disease in the APAC region.

The time for action is now.