World’s first ‘dengue dashboard’ to predict outbreaks months in advance

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LONDON, Dec 5: As dengue fever continues to surge across continents, claiming at least 5,500 lives in the 20 worst-hit countries this year, researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) are developing the world’s first “dengue dashboard.” The innovative tool is designed to track the spread of the mosquito-borne disease in real-time and predict potential outbreaks up to three months in advance.

Funded by £430,000 from the Axa Research Fund, the dengue dashboard project draws inspiration from Covid dashboards that proved invaluable during the pandemic. Led by Dr. Oliver Brady, an assistant professor at LSHTM, the initiative aims to provide a comprehensive source for assessing the current dengue situation worldwide.

Dengue has seen a 32% increase in fatalities since 2022, affecting almost every continent. Climate change, the El Nino weather phenomenon, urbanization, and the post-Covid travel rebound contribute to the escalating transmission. To address this, the dengue dashboard will incorporate a forecasting tool, leveraging temperature, rainfall, and infection rates data to predict disease transmission shifts over the next two to three months.

Initially, the dashboard will cover 50 countries, expanding gradually. The tool aims to assist governments and researchers and provide crucial information to locals and tourists. Dr. Brady emphasized its potential utility for travelers, offering real-time information on the dengue situation at their intended destinations and linking them to resources on prevention measures.

Expected to launch next year, the dengue dashboard responds to the urgent need for a real-time, global tracking system for dengue outbreaks. The lack of such a tool has hindered efficient monitoring, especially given the patchy nature of global data on dengue transmission.

As the world grapples with the increasing threat of dengue, the dashboard is seen as a crucial step in mitigating the impact of the disease. Dr. Brady stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of dengue spread, including combating climate change, creating mosquito-resistant urban environments, and understanding the role of trade and travel in the global spread of such viruses.

The project aligns with global efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases, emphasizing the need for real-time dashboards to efficiently track dengue outbreaks and facilitate strategic decision-making in low-resource settings.

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