Project Leader	YOSHIKAWA Minako "Jen" (Kyoto University, Center for Southeast Asian Studies)
Collaborators	CHONG Khai Lin (Universiti Utara Malaysia, Disaster Management Institute) ABDUL NIFA Faizatul Akmar (Universiti Utara Malaysia, Disaster Management Institute) Rakwi Nensar Wai Wai Phyo (The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Medicine) MOI Meng Ling (The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Medicine) OKAMOTO Masaaki (Kyoto University, Center for Southeast Asian Studies)
Research Project	Improving Risk Communication in Water-related Disasters by Integrating Prevention of Mosquito-borne Infectious Diseases: A Case of Penang, Malaysia
Countries of Study	Malaysia

Outline of Research

In the event of water-related disasters in tropical destinations, it is important to caution residents and visitors against the risks of mosquito-borne infectious diseases. Dengue is one of the life-threatening infectious diseases that may spread following a water-related disaster. Currently, however, local risk communication before, during, and after water-related disasters includes little or no information about dengue prevention and control. We will conduct field research in the world heritage site of Penang, Malaysia to 1) identify and visualize high-risk areas requiring integrated risk communication, and 2) develop the most appropriate tool for integrated risk communication. Given ongoing climate change, water-related disasters and subsequent mosquito-borne infectious diseases will continue to threaten societies, especially in tropical and sub-tropical areas. A series of research activities involving researchers in Japan and Malaysia will facilitate academic exchange across national borders and academic disciplines, thereby contributing not only to practical solutions, but also to the human development of interdisciplinary researchers.

Purpose of Research, Its Significance and Expected Results, etc.

To devise a new tool for integrated risk communication of water-related disasters and dengue prevention and control, we will conduct field research in George Town, the world heritage site of Penang, Malaysia. Although considerable research has been devoted to natural disasters and mosquito-borne dengue in Malaysia, scholarly discussion addressing integral prevention and/or mitigation of these life-threating hazards has been insufficient. Further studies, including virus detection in local mosquitoes, are required to identify high-risk areas more accurately. The field research will deploy multiple disciplines, including Natural Disaster Science (especially Engineering) and Medical Science (especially Infectious Disease Medicine and Entomology). We will identify high-risk areas based on the following three factors: 1) water-related disasters have either occurred or are expected to occur, 2) incidence and/or propagation of vectors can be confirmed or feared with stagnant water in presence, and 3) tourists, especially visitors from overseas locations, are concentrated. We will also conduct secondary research in the areas of Political Science and Management to investigate factors that have obstructed inter-ministry and/or inter-agency collaboration in communicating the risks of water-related disasters and mosquito-borne infectious diseases in Malaysia.

This international collaborative research initiative will generate practical opportunities for Malaysian disaster specialists and Japanese medical as well as social scientists to share knowledge and experiences. Therefore it is hoped that the initiative will pave the way for a network among Japanese and Malaysian researchers to unite disaster prevention and mitigation efforts.

Water-related disaster management inclusive of dengue prevention and control requires researchers who can lead multinational research teams and conduct multi-, inter-, and trans-disciplinary research beyond a single area of expertise. The present research grant will help to develop such researchers by enabling us to provide graduate students with practical opportunities to actively participate in interdisciplinary field research and subsequent analyses. Furthermore, the early career researchers in Malaysia in the research team will be engaged in discussions with experts in Singapore, which will hopefully promote academic exchange and the expansion of research networks in the Southeast Asian region.

The results of this research are expected to contribute to improving Penang’s resilience in the face of water-related disasters and mosquito-borne infectious diseases. While our findings may be most applicable for Penang, Malaysia, we expect that the new integrated risk communication tool developed through this initiative will be useful for other international travel destinations.