The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has urged the public to be vigilant as the number of reported Dengue cases has increased in various parts of the Maldives during this period.
In a statement released by the HPA, it said that due to the current rainy weather, mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue and Chikungunya may increase in the coming days. Specifically, since the disease is expected to increase from April until the end of July, the statement noted the importance of institutions, councils, companies, and private associations working together to take measures to reduce the disease.
Measures that can be taken in this regard:
- Health Centers and Hospitals: Identifying Dengue symptoms early and providing treatment, closely monitoring and following up on patients' conditions, monitoring the rate of disease spread in the island, and reporting to the HPA.
- Councils: Formulating task forces to control Dengue, conducting activities such as island cleaning, and raising public awareness.
- Schools: Checking and inspecting school premises once every week to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and raising awareness among students regarding protection from Dengue.
- Resorts, Construction Sites, and Industrial Islands: Inspecting various areas of the island once a week, cleaning and destroying items and places where mosquitoes can breed, and raising awareness among employees regarding protection from Dengue.
- Companies and Associations: Eliminating mosquito breeding sites, providing assistance to the public for such work, and carrying out awareness activities.
- Media: Disseminating information related to Dengue shared by relevant authorities and raising public awareness.
- Individuals: Inspecting the house and courtyard at least once a week for items where water can collect and cleaning them to prevent mosquito breeding, and seeking treatment without delay if any Dengue symptoms appear.
HPA stated that the agency is also working with relevant authorities to control Dengue. It further noted that the most important things for protection from the disease are eliminating mosquito breeding and nesting sites, protecting oneself from mosquito bites, and seeking early treatment under the instruction of a health professional if Dengue is contracted.
According to statistics released by the HPA this month, 535 cases of Dengue fever were reported last month alone. In March of last year, that number stood at 60. While Dengue cases have increased unusually, a young person whose condition worsened due to Dengue recently passed away.
