Manila, Philippines • June 16, 2025 — At the heart of this year’s Asia Dengue Summit—with its clarion call, “Towards Zero Dengue Deaths: Science, Strategy, and Solidarity”—was a voice that brought together personal conviction, research rigor, and systems thinking: Dr. Venus Oliva Cloma-Rosales, Founder and Managing Director of 101 Health Research.
In her plenary session titled “Dengue in the Midst of Climate Change: The Philippine Experience,” Dr. Cloma-Rosales stood shoulder to shoulder with other public health leaders and changemakers from across Asia. But her lens was intimate and urgent: a testimony drawn from years of living and working on the frontlines of dengue, from doctor and policymaker to patient and family caregiver.
The Summit and the Session
The 8th Asia Dengue Summit was held on June 16–17, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. Co-convened by ADVA, GDAC, and the Philippine Medical Association, the summit featured a mix of global experts on epidemiology, vector control, immunology, and public policy.
Dr. Cloma-Rosales presented as part of the high-profile plenary “The Evolving Epidemiology of Dengue: Country Experiences – Gains, Challenges, and Ways Forward”, alongside Singapore’s Ng Lee Ching.
Her presentation drew from:
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- The 2023 national policy research commissioned by the Department of Health, IQVIA, and WHO
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- A 2025 scoping review led by her team at 101 Health Research on dengue and climate change evidence
Key Insights: Climate Signals, Policy Blindspots
In her talk, Dr. Cloma-Rosales emphasized that climate change is not a future threat—it’s a present amplifier of dengue risk.
Temperature: The Strongest Predictor
“We found that mosquito growth, virus replication, and outbreak risk all rise with temperatures between 26 to 32 degrees,” she explained. “And the peak? Around 28 to 29°C. That’s where dengue thrives.”
In Davao, a 1°C increase corresponded to 8.5% more dengue cases. This data, she noted, should transform how local governments and national agencies prioritize high-risk zones.
Rainfall: A Local Puzzle
“Not all rain is equal. In Cavite, a 50 mm increase in rainfall increased dengue cases by 11%. But in Iligan, no strong association. That tells us: we cannot copy-paste vector strategies from one LGU to another.”
AI and Predictive Surveillance
“With the data we already have, our models can predict dengue outbreaks with 85–93% accuracy,” she said. “We can give LGUs two to four weeks’ lead time—enough to act, not just react.”
The Philippines continues to implement core strategies like the 4S approach, the 4 o’clock habit, and dengue fast lanes in healthcare settings. But with the accelerating impact of climate change—and the emergence of new tools in biotechnology, data science, and AI—there is an urgent need to move beyond business as usual.
What’s needed are proactive early warning systems that integrate climate-sensitive and entomological surveillance, alongside strong community systems that ensure access to clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and responsive health infrastructure.
In contrast, other countries are already exploring innovations such as climate-adaptive architecture, Wolbachia-based vector control, and vaccination programs—grounded in a foundation of technology, enforcement, public trust, and policy designs that prioritize both immediate impact and long-term sustainability.
Policy and Practice: What Needs to Change
One of the most compelling segments of her session came when she asked: “Are we ready to change the system?”
“Because science tells us what’s coming. Strategy tells us what to do. But solidarity is what ensures we move forward together.”
She called for:
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- Climate-informed outbreak mapping
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- Conditional grants to support LGU-led vector innovations
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- Support for community education and AI capacity-building
“The data are not what’s missing. It’s how we use them—or don’t.”
Behind the Scenes: A Dream, A Team, A Milestone
This talk was a labor of love, not just for Dr. Cloma-Rosales, but for the entire 101 Health Research team.
The presentation was the result of a collaborative effort across teams at 101 Health Research, with research, marketing, statistics, and interns contributing significantly to its preparation.
The 2023 dengue policy research, once thought to have run its course, found renewed relevance through this summit—providing an opportunity to amplify its insights to a wider audience.
What emerged from this collaborative effort wasn’t just a presentation. It was, in her words, one of her “favorite presentations” and a testament to what it means to do public health with heart.
From the Philippines to the Region
The Philippine story of dengue is one of paradox: rising cases, world-class researchers, uneven implementation. But with leaders like Dr. Cloma-Rosales, the future holds promise.
Her presentation ended not with a chart—but with a call:
“The path to zero dengue deaths is not paved with more guidelines. It’s paved with action, accountability, and trust. In science. In our people. In each other.”
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