The University of Queensland (UQ) has advanced its global dengue prevention efforts by formalising new agreements with three leading institutions under Vietnam’s Ministry of Health.
The collaboration marks a significant step forward for the E‑DENGUE project, which aims to transform how dengue outbreaks are predicted and proactively controlled in Vietnam. Involving Vietnam’s National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, and the Hanoi University of Public Health, the agreements support on‑the‑ground implementation and positions the initiative to deliver large‑scale, sustainable, and evidence‑based solutions for dengue control across the country.
The agreements were signed during a week‑long visit to Vietnam by UQ researchers involved in the E‑DENGUE project. Led by Professor Sheleigh Lawler, Head of the School of Public Health, the delegation took part in high‑level meetings, field assessments, and knowledge‑exchange activities with partners across the country.
As part of the visit, UQ researchers participated in a national conference co‑hosted with NIHE, which brought together policymakers, provincial health leaders and international experts. The event reviewed early pilot results and outlined plans to scale E‑DENGUE‑supported interventions across Mekong Delta provinces from 2026. Discussions underscored the growing role of digital health, predictive modelling and cross‑sector collaboration in strengthening dengue surveillance and response amid increasing climate‑driven transmission risks.
The visit also included a field assessment in Tay Ninh Province, one of the project’s pilot sites, where researchers worked alongside provincial health authorities and non‑government organisations. The team observed how early warning data is already guiding vector surveillance, community engagement initiatives and targeted prevention activities.
The strengthened partnerships will support the next phase of the E‑DENGUE project as it continues to build local capacity, embed practical tools within health systems and advance long‑term strategies to reduce the impact of dengue across Vietnam.
Changing how dengue outbreaks are predicted and managed across Vietnam
Vietnam faces a substantial dengue burden, with the disease consistently ranking among the leading causes of hospitalisation during peak transmission periods. The Ministry of Health records an average of 95,000 confirmed cases each year, although true infection numbers are estimated to approach two million annually. The resulting economic impact is considerable, with costs reaching up to $140 million per year.
The E-DENGUE project is developing an accessible early-warning system that helps local health authorities act sooner and more effectively to protect vulnerable communities.
Led by Associate Professor Dung Phung from UQ’s School of Public Health, the project combines advanced data science with local public health expertise to create practical tools that support earlier intervention, smarter allocation of resources, and stronger preparedness for dengue season. The model is designed to integrate into existing health systems, delivering long-term benefits and reducing pressure on frontline services.
By analysing climate, environmental, and disease surveillance data, the E-DENGUE system predicts dengue risk months in advance. This gives health departments and communities the ability to plan proactively, direct prevention activities to high-risk areas, and strengthen outbreak response measures.
The project also places strong emphasis on local capacity building, ensuring that training, collaboration, and on-the-ground knowledge help sustain the system well beyond the research phase.
Supported by the UK Wellcome Trust Fund, E-DENGUE brings together collaborators from Southern Cross University, Griffith University, Tsukuba University, Yale University, and Vietnamese government partners.
Learn more about UQ's partnership with Vietnam
Images: Supplied.
