Bangkok, 15 June 2023 — Fujifilm (Thailand) Ltd. continues its unwavering commitment to never stop innovating to tackle social issues and contribute to a sustainable and healthier world. In line with its vision, the company recently unveiled a groundbreaking high-sensitivity dengue detection kit featuring Silver Amplification technology. This innovative kit aims to diagnose dengue fever in its early stages, thereby preventing severe illness and reducing mortality rates. By showcasing this advanced test kit at the "ASEAN DENGUE DAY 2023" event, organized by The Department of Disease Control and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration with the support of Kao Industrial (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Takeda (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and public and private sectors, Fujifilm actively contributes to Thailand's mission of achieving a Dengue Zero society. The event, themed "Moving Forward to Zero Dengue Death," united public and private stakeholders to raise awareness about dengue prevention, ultimately striving to reduce the number of cases and fatalities in the future.
Between January and May 2023, Thailand experienced a significant dengue fever outbreak, with a total of 18,173 cases and 15 deaths. This represents a 4.2-fold increase compared to the previous year and marks the highest outbreak in the past three years. The majority of cases were reported in Bangkok, southern provinces, and central provinces. Among the affected population, students between the ages of 5 and 14 were the most affected, followed by the age group of 15 to 24 years old. On average, Thailand saw 900 new cases of dengue fever per week, along with one death per week.
Mr. So Maruo, Managing Director, Fujifilm (Thailand) Ltd., said, “Despite being a preventable disease, dengue fever continues to claim lives in Thailand. Fujifilm acknowledges the critical need to raise awareness about the disease's severity and the importance of prevention to mitigate the risks it poses. As a leading provider of proprietary innovations that enhance people's quality of life, Fujifilm is fully committed to advancing the health of individuals in Thailand and worldwide. Our dedication to innovation in pursuit of a healthier world is demonstrated through our introduction of an advanced test kit incorporating Silver Amplification technology, known for its remarkable sensitivity and accuracy. Drawing upon our expertise in imaging, this solution enables early-stage dengue diagnosis which, in turn, helps prevent severe illness.”
Fujifilm showcased an innovative Rapid Test Kit at the "ASEAN DENGUE DAY 2023" event, designed to enhance the efficiency of diagnosing dengue fever. This highly sensitive kit incorporates unique Silver Amplification technology. This Point of Care (POC) Antigen Test solution is user-friendly and can be utilized anytime, anywhere. By enabling early-stage dengue infection diagnosis through convenient and straightforward testing methods, the kit eliminates the need for specialized expertise or additional tools. Within a span of 15-20 minutes, doctors can obtain results, facilitating faster and more accurate identification of dengue patients. This approach aligns with the objective of reducing illness and mortality associated with dengue fever among the wider population by promoting early detection, ensuring precise diagnostic outcomes, and minimizing testing costs through accessible and user-friendly kits.
“After successful testing in patients, the kit has proven to be a valuable tool for medical professionals, enabling quicker and more efficient infection diagnosis. This expedited process facilitates prompt treatment, leading to reduced disease severity and lower mortality rates. Such outcomes align with Fujifilm's main goals. As a responsible corporate citizen, Fujifilm is unwavering in its commitment to addressing social issues in Thailand, with a particular focus on health-related concerns that affect the well-being of the broader population, including the persistent threat of Dengue fever and its impact on Thai lives each year. The company firmly believes that this kit has the potential to enhance public health in Thailand, empowering individuals to lead healthier lives. Fujifilm remains dedicated to creating new values and actively contributing to society,” concluded Mr. So Maruo