Protecting future generations from the dangers of dengue

As a parent, Mr Akira Nishimaki has witnessed firsthand the toll dengue takes on young lives. During a six-year stint in Indonesia, his daughter was diagnosed with the illness just before her primary school graduation. 

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquito bites, characterised by high fever, head and body aches, nausea and rashes, among other symptoms. In severe cases, it can escalate to dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, potentially resulting in fatal outcomes. 

Mr Nishimaki’s daughter spent days in the hospital, tearful from the severe discomfort and the disappointment of missing an important milestone with her classmates. This experience left an indelible mark on him. 

Today, as the president of Kao Malaysia, Mr Nishimaki leads the organisation’s efforts to protect lives across Asia with the GUARD OUR FUTURE project. 

“Dengue prevention is a key focus for Kao and a personal mission for me,” said Mr Nishimaki. “The disease affects not only the economy but also causes widespread suffering and has claimed the lives of many children. At Kao, our goal is to address societal issues. We aim to ensure that children lead safe lives filled with bright smiles.”

ENHANCING DENGUE PREVENTION THROUGH INNOVATION

In July, Kao launched the Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum in Malaysia. The flagship product of the GUARD OUR FUTURE initiative, this mosquito repellent cream features a proprietary silicone-based composition that makes it difficult for mosquitoes to stay on the skin, preventing them from biting. 

“The product does not contain DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide), a common ingredient in insect repellents that has a strong smell and sticky texture,” said Mr Nishimaki. Many parents are reluctant to use DEET products on their children due to concerns about the safety of the chemically synthesised compound, leading some to skip mosquito repellent altogether, he added. 

Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum has been formulated to be safe for children aged four and above. It contains natural ingredients like geranium oil and offers up to eight hours of protection. It is light, easy to spread on skin and comes in a fresh lavender or sweet blossom scent. 

“We believe that creating an effective product is the first step in encouraging people to protect themselves against dengue,” shared Mr Nishimaki.

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR GREATER IMPACT

According to data from Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, dengue cases have surged, with 18,427 cases recorded in the first five weeks of 2024, a 65 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

Combating the spread of dengue goes beyond launching an innovative product, noted Mr Nishimaki. As part of the GUARD OUR FUTURE initiative, Kao has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Selangor state government and a memorandum of understanding with pharmaceuticals manufacturer Takeda Malaysia. Through these collaborations, Kao is implementing a range of educational initiatives to reduce the impact of dengue on the Selangor population. 

Kao is working with the Selangor state government to organise dengue prevention workshops as well as community-based activities such as clean-up sessions in known dengue hotspots. To date, Kao has donated over 61,000 units of Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum for distribution at these events to encourage individuals to take proactive preventive measures against mosquitoes. 

“Battling the dengue blight is too big a challenge for one company to tackle alone,” said Mr Nishimaki. By partnering with Takeda that has developed a dengue vaccine, Kao seeks to complement Takeda’s efforts with its repellent solution. 

Additionally, Kao aims to leverage Takeda’s expertise and established network within Malaysia’s healthcare system to broaden educational outreach to at-risk communities. “To reduce the dengue burden, we need to change consumers’ perceptions and actions regarding the disease,” Mr Nishimaki explained. 

The partnership with Takeda includes raising dengue awareness in 50 schools in Selangor. “Children play a key role in shaping society. We want to ensure they are aware of the dangers of dengue, so that future generations can live free from it,” he said.

Learn more about Kao Corporation’s GUARD OUR FUTURE project and purchase the Bioré GUARD Mos Block Serum at pharmacies, supermarkets and online platforms in Malaysia. The Bioré GUARD Mos Block Lotion is available in Singapore at pharmacies, supermarkets and on Shopee and Lazada.