Stephen Groff, Vice President, Asian Development Bank;
Honourable Ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic community;
Assistant Secretary of Health for the Philippines, Dr Eric Tayag;
Colleagues from WHO and the United Nations family, the Asian Development Bank and other partners;
Members of the media;
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Welcome to the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific.
I wish everyone a happy World Health Day!
“Small bite – big threat.” The theme of World Health Day 2014 is a timely reminder of the enormous harm caused by tiny creatures such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, mites, sandflies and freshwater snails.
These creatures are called “vectors” because they spread a range of parasitic, viral and bacterial diseases – diseases that affect people of all ages and all sectors of society.
Certain diseases – such as malaria and dengue -- are well-publicized.
Others are almost unknown – such as lymphatic filariasis – even though they cause tremendous suffering.
Vector-borne diseases are reported from all of our Region’s 37 countries and areas.
Some are locally transmitted. Others are imported from affected countries.
Many of these diseases – especially dengue – are linked to larger trends, such as urbanization, globalization and environmental change.
It is a complex picture with a devastating human toll.
Vector-borne diseases also take an economic toll.
Look at the case of dengue.
The Asia-Pacific region accounts for more than 75% of the estimated global dengue burden of more than 100 million cases a year across 100 countries.
Meanwhile, lymphatic filariasis remains endemic in 22 countries of the Western Pacific Region.
Other diseases are less common, such as schistosomiasis, and concentrated in relatively few countries in the Region. But all of these diseases cause disability and long-term suffering.
Not surprisingly, vector-borne diseases often have the most devastating effects on the poorest people in the Region.
However, much of this suffering can be avoided. Most vector-borne diseases are preventable, if exposure to the vector can be minimized.
For example, if you do not get bitten by mosquitoes, you cannot get malaria or dengue or chikungunya. It is that simple. Protect yourself, no matter where you are: use insect repellents or bed nets treated with insecticide, for example.
Know the risks: mosquitoes that cause malaria are most active during the night, while mosquitoes that cause dengue usually bite during the day.
Make sure there is no standing water in or around the home where mosquitoes can breed.
Communities can take simple measures together to control mosquito breeding.
WHO urges governments and donor agencies to strengthen efforts and programmes to combat vector-borne diseases, including support for community mobilization -- and to launch initiatives for neglected diseases.
We know how to tackle these diseases.
WHO has global strategies and regional action plans for malaria, dengue and neglected tropical diseases. A dengue vaccine is in development.
The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific supports Member States to control outbreaks and to implement control and elimination programmes.
Our collaborative efforts have been successful.
Some countries – including China, the Republic of Korea and Solomon Islands – have eliminated lymphatic filariasis.
Between 2000 and 2011, malaria cases in the Region dropped by 46%, and deaths from malaria dropped by 73%.
Still, many challenges remain.
Some diseases are on the rise, especially dengue and chikungunya.
Growing anti-malarial drug resistance and insecticide resistance are strong concerns.
Reaching marginalized communities and ensuring universal access to prevention and treatment is especially challenging.
With malaria, we see clearly that sustained commitment and investment can bring a disease under control.
Now we can move towards elimination. We need similar commitment and investment going forward on other fronts, especially dengue. WHO cannot work alone.
Partnerships are essential. Partnerships – with governments, non-health sectors, development agencies, industries and NGOs – help strengthen our focus and expand investment.
We must also partner with communities and individuals – so we can each play our role in protecting ourselves.
Together, we can take a big bite out of the burden of vector-borne disease– and reduce the threat for years to come.
Thank you.