Health Protection Agency on Saturday confirmed that a 3-year-old child was tested positive for measles, who has now been discharged after treatment.
According to the health agency, the child, who lived in Male' region was not administered the complete dose of the required vaccination at nine and 18 months.
According to HPA's statement, following treatment at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and having kept the child under observation until the contagious period has passed, the child's condition has improved and now been released.
HPA revealed that they were also taking precautionary measures by testing all individuals who were in contact with the child during its contagious period.
Furthermore, the agency disclosed all the public areas the child had visited during this period.
4 January 2020, Hulhumale’ Hospital - Between 2000hrs and 2300hrs
5 January 2020, Hulhumale’ Hospital - Between 1700hrs and 2100hrs
6 January 2020, Senehiya - Between 1900hrs and 2200hrs
7 January 2020, Hulhumale’ Hospital - Between 1900hrs and 0200hrs
8 January 2020, Treetop Hospital - Between 1100hrs and 1330hrs
Any individual who had been to these areas, and does not have the full dose of the measles vaccination is urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible, and to observe for symptoms of the disease.
The health agency advised anyone experiencing any symptom of the disease to visit the nearest health facility and seek immediate treatment.
Maldives was declared measles free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in June 2017. At the time, Maldives and Bhutan became the first two countries in South Asia to eradicate the disease before 2020.
Measles is highly contagious and can spread through coughing and sneezing. While the most well-known symptom of the disease is a 'blotchy rash', other indicators include high fever, runny nose, cough, eye discharge and white spots inside the mouth. If left untreated, measles can be fatal.
Sign In