A total of 395 expatriates are employed in Kooddoo. Some have already been screened, out of which three have tested positive.
Three expatriate workers employed at Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) fish processing facility, Kooddoo Fisheries Complex located in Gaafu Alifu atoll have tested positive for Filariasis.
Media official of MIFCO Ibrahim Saeed (Cade) said that the expatriate workers tested positive for Filariasis on Thursday, May 9.
"During the medical tests conducted for expatriate workers from Felivaru for the renewal of their contracts, some were suspected of filariasis, so testing was conducted," Saeed said.
The three expatriate workers of Indian origin received treatment at Gaafu Alifu Atoll Hospital located at Villingilli in the same atoll and have now reported back to work after treatment, he said.
Health Protection Agency ( HPA) is currently conducting a screening program for expatriates working in all MIFCO owned facilities.
“HPA initiated a screening program in all MIFCO factories to test everyone,” he said.
A total of 395 expatriates are employed in Kooddoo. Some have already been screened, out of which three have tested positive, Saeed said.
HPA is conducting a survey on filariasis screening and the details will be announced once the survey is completed.
In February, HPA decided to conduct nationwide screening to detect the prevalence of filariasis among Maldivians and foreign nationals.
In 2016, World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Filariasis had been eradicated from the Maldives. The second country to eradicate the illness from this region is Sri Lanka. However, a random screening conducted in December last year to mark World AIDS Day in Haa Dhaalu Atoll Kulhudhuffushi discovered expatriates contracted with the disease.
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