JAKARTA, Indonesia [July 17, 2018] — Bayer, a global leader in providing vector control solutions to safeguard public health, has brought together experts from public and private sector for the first time in Indonesia to tackle the challenges of mosquito-borne diseases in Asia Pacific.

At the Dengue Media Briefing which is a part of 5th Bayer Vector Control Expert Meeting organized in partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Health and International SOS, the company stressed the importance of a sustainable and integrated vector management through a regionally coordinated approach to reduce or prevent the vector-borne disease transmission.

“The fight against vector-borne diseases requires multiple stakeholder approach involving the private and the public sector, academia, government and non-governmental organizations. The threat of dengue, zika virus or malaria knows no border and it is a growing concern for everyone. Bayer has always been part of the fight against mosquito-borne diseases and an active partner in fostering public health worldwide through vector control since the 1950s,” said Frederic Baur, Head of Vector Control, Environmental Science, Bayer Crop Science.

The incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades, with a 30 fold increase over the last 50 years. According to data published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Asia Pacific recorded 15.2 million dengue cases in 2016; of which 202,314 incidences (including 1,593 deaths) were reported in Indonesia.

Opening the event was Dr Anung Sugihantono, Director General of Disease Prevention and Control from the Ministry of Health, Indonesia. He presented the Healthy Living Community Movement (GERMAS), which was initiated by Indonesian President Jokowi Widodo in 2017, as part of the government’s efforts towards disease prevention and control.

Bayer’s commitment to fighting vector-borne diseases on vector control spans 60 years. The company strongly advocates an integrated approach to manage vector-borne diseases and engages mosquito control experts from all over the world in its continued efforts towards developing more effective solutions to protect communities at risk from such diseases.

“This Bayer Vector Control Expert Meeting is part of our commitment to continue supporting local governments in their efforts to safeguard public health but also supporting research and development; and ensure that the latest innovations in vector control are discussed and shared in an open format enhancing dialogue on this globally important subject,’ said Jason Nash, Head of Innovation in Asia Pacific, Environmental Science, Bayer Crop Science.

Bayer Mosquito Learning Lab and Mosquito Quest App

 
To strengthen initiatives for raise dengue awareness and educational programs for the public, Bayer developed the Mosquito Learning Lab. It is an online learning tool to help bring the message closer to everyone in the community, from school children to families.

“Local communities play a crucial role in source reduction and preventing disease transmission. According to the Health Ministry , school children between the ages of 5 to 14 years in Indonesia are amongst the most susceptible to dengue because school outdoor activities occur when mosquitoes are most active,” said Yudi Clements, Regional Key Account Management and Country Manager, Environmental Science Indonesia, Bayer Crop Science.

In 2017, Bayer introduced Mosquito Learning Lab in Jakarta translated into Bahasa at SDN Baru 7 in Cijantung, a local primary school as part of our ASEAN Dengue Day activities. It is a fun and interactive tool that enables children to learn not only the important facts about dengue and the Aedes mosquito, but also how to prevent potential breeding sites around the school and their homes.

This week, Bayer is also introducing Bayer Mosquito Quest – a virtual reality experience that complements Mosquito Learning Lab where users test their knowledge to identify potential mosquito breeding sites in a home. It is a tool that uses the latest technology to complement public campaigns on raising awareness with a strong element of fun to learning about mosquito prevention, enhancing the adoption of mosquito prevention methods.

Visit Bayer’s Mosquito Learning Lab portal at http://bit.ly/bayermosquitolearninglab and download the Mosquito Quest App for use on any VR device from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

About Bayer

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2017, the Group employed around 99,800 people and had sales of EUR 35.0 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.4 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.5 billion. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

Contact
Krishnu Senjaya, phone +62 811 8706 352
Email: krishnu.senjaya@bayer
 
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