🌍 United Against Dengue: A Bold Regional Push to Eliminate Dengue Deaths

Fighting Dengue Together, From Malaysia to the Region

A major new collab is here to change the game in dengue prevention. On ASEAN Dengue Day, the “United Against Dengue” (UAD) initiative officially launched to rally communities across Asia. Spearheaded by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Takeda, this powerful campaign backs the WHO and ASEAN goal to eliminate preventable dengue deaths by 2030.

With dengue cases on the rise due to urban living, climate shifts, and fast-growing populations, the UAD initiative hits at just the right time and Malaysia is right in the heart of it.

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🧠 What’s UAD All About?

United Against Dengue goes beyond awareness. It’s a multi year mission built around three big pillars:

1. Educate

• Community-led dengue awareness campaigns
• Volunteer training using the ECV toolkit
• Hygiene and early preparedness programs
• Better surveillance and early response protocols

2. Advocate

• Engaging policymakers and medical societies
• Integrating dengue prevention into national public health plans
• Strengthening health systems for long-term impact

3. Support

• On-the-ground help for dengue-affected communities
• Flexible, evolving efforts based on community needs

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💬 A Comic Book Collab for Gen Z? Yes, Please

Kicking off the education effort is a content drop from The Woke Salaryman, who teamed up with UAD to launch an original comic series. Using their signature relatable storytelling, the comic highlights how dengue and urban living are deeply connected and how communities must come together to stay safe.

The series will be translated into Bahasa Melayu, with plans for Spanish and French versions to extend global reach.

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🦠 Why Dengue Is Still a Big Deal

• Over 70% of global dengue cases are in Asia

• In Malaysia alone, over 14,000 cases and 16 deaths were recorded by March 2025

• Without stronger prevention strategies, cases will keep rising

But the message is clear dengue is beatable when the region unites with a focused, multi-sectoral approach.

“This isn’t just about awareness. It’s about sustainable action that protects lives.”
– Juja Kim, Deputy Regional Director, IFRC Asia Pacific

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🤝 It Takes All of Us to Win

Whether you're a policymaker, student, health worker or just someone who wants a safer future, UAD is your call to action.

“Everyone has a role in the fight against dengue. UAD shows how powerful community-driven action can be.”
– Dr Deepa Gamage, WHO Public Health Specialist

So, let's make it happen. Share the comic. Talk to your neighbours. Stay informed. Because united, we can end preventable dengue deaths for good.