Frances E. Edillo, Ph.D., a full professor and head of the Mosquito Research Laboratory (MRL) at the University of San Carlos (USC) Department of Biology, was invited again as a speaker at the 8th Asia Dengue Summit (ADS) in Crown Plaza Galleria Hotel, Quezon City on June 15–18, 2025.
United by a shared theme “Toward Zero Dengue Deaths: Science, Strategy, and Solidarity,” nearly 700 delegates and speakers from 22 countries participated in the summit.
The 8th ADS generally aimed to advance the region towards “zero dengue deaths” through enhanced collaborations, innovations, and strategic implementation. Pivotal key objectives included the following: (1) strengthen regional surveillance and early warning, (2) optimize clinical management and patient outcomes, (3) accelerate innovative vector control strategies, (4) advance dengue vaccine development and implementation, and (5) enhance multi-sectoral collaborations and advocacy.
The Philippine Department of Health Secretary Teodora J. Herbosa officially opened the summit and outlined the country’s comprehensive dengue response. Professor Manuel M. Dayrit of the Ateneo School of Medicine in Public Health delivered the keynote address that emphasized political prioritization and multisectoral collaboration to combat dengue as a global threat. Dr. Oliver Brady of the Lancet Arboviruses Commission presented ways to treat Aedes-transmitted diseases as environmental challenges.
The 8th ADS included a pre-summit workshop on the Pearls in Clinical Management of Dengue. The two-day main summit included sessions on Evolving Epidemiology of Dengue; Dengue Pathogenesis and Management–Navigating Best Practice Options in Resource-Limited Settings; Dengue Vaccine Updates and Innovations; and Policy, Advocacy, Research and Innovation. The post-summit presented a relevant workshop on Integrating Wolbachia into Dengue Prevention Programs Supported by the World Mosquito Program.
Professor Edillo presented a talk on Aedes-borne Arboviruses and Weather Conditions in Cebu city Sites, Philippines with Post-Pandemic Models. Eight studies done at USC MRL by her thesis advisees (current and alumni), researchers, and collaborators (presenters’ names are in bold) were presented by rapid fire talk** and/or posters* as follows:
- Arvin Pacoma** and F.E. Edillo: Co-persistence of chikungunya virus and Wolbachia Supergroup B in Aedes albopictus: Field evidence in Cebu City, Philippines
- Mark Ian Andres*, A.O. Lluisma, A.M.P. Catalig, and F.E. Edillo: First record of insect-specific flaviviruses in Aedes aegypti populations from the Philippines
- F.E. Edillo, Rhoniel Ryan Ymbong*, A.A. Bolneo, R.J. Hernandez, M.W. Suycano, and A. Sakuntabhai: Temperature and not season influences the development-related phenotypes of Philippine Aedes albopictus: Implications for vector control
- Anthoddiemn Olin M. Navarro* and F.E. Edillo: Interactions among chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses in natural populations of Aedes albopictus in Cebu city, Philippines
- Catherine S. Malaca* and F.E. Edillo: Natural co-infection of Wolbachia Supergroups A and B slightly inhibits Zika virus in Aedes albopictus from selected sites in Cebu City, Philippines
- Daryl D. Nasinopa*, A.O. Lagnada, R.C. Signe, and F.E. Edillo: Low insecticide usage reflects the absence of phenylalanine to cysteine kdr mutations of Aedes aegypti from selected dengue hotspots in Cebu City, Philippines
- Kylene Cabilla*, Z.L. Tubod*, C.L. Salem, and F.E. Edillo: S989P mutations as a mechanism of insecticide knockdown resistance: prevalence and its association with Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti population from Cebu City dengue hotspots, Philippines
- Bryan I. Sanchez*, F.J.A. Lagang*, C.D. Bandalan, G.D. Ompad, and F.E. Edillo: Spatiotemporal and causal analysis of dengue transmission by Aedes albopictus in Cebu Province.
by Frances Edillo, Ph.D.