Asnawi Abdullah, head of the Health Development Policy Agency, said dengue knows no borders due to similar climates, high population mobility, and rapid urbanization across the region.
"These factors require not only a national response, but also collective leadership, policy alignment, and sustainable regional cooperation," he said.
Abdullah said Indonesia faced mounting challenges in 2024, including climate change, extreme weather, and the El Niño phenomenon, which drove dengue incidence to around 92 cases per 100,000 people.
He described the surge as a test of the public health system's resilience.
"In 2025, incidence declined significantly to 57 cases per 100,000 people. This was the result of a proactive, climate-adaptive strategy," he said.
The decline was also supported by expanded access to health technology and vaccines, he added.
"We cannot control the weather, but we can protect communities through smart and innovative actions," Abdullah said.
He noted that stronger health facility capacity and community participation have contributed to dengue control efforts nationwide.
By keeping the fatality rate below 0.5 percent, in line with national targets, Indonesia is progressing toward zero dengue deaths by 2030, he said.
Despite progress, dengue remains a major public health challenge in Asia, with Southeast Asia considered the global epicenter of the disease.
"From Wolbachia-based mosquito control to early warning systems, our capacity to combat dengue has never been stronger," Abdullah said.
He said the forum is expected to produce science- and evidence-based policy recommendations to support dengue prevention across Southeast Asia.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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