The number of measles cases currently spreading in the Maldives has risen to 121.
In a social media post today, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) stated that 55 cases of measles were detected in the Malé area last week. The agency added that with these new cases, a total of 121 measles cases have been reported so far this year.
While the HPA has launched a special vaccination program to protect against measles, the agency noted that 5,495 individuals have been vaccinated so far.
Pediatric specialist Dr. Ahmed Faisal stated last Sunday that the ongoing measles outbreak in the Maldives is predominantly affecting individuals between the ages of 15 and 35, and that only four children have contracted the disease so far.
Sharing social media statistics of measles cases detected four years ago in 2022, Dr. Faisal noted that the disease was most common among unvaccinated individuals that year as well. He stated that this group constitutes the population vulnerable to contracting measles, adding that the reason detected cases are increasing and spreading is due to people not getting vaccinated.
Following the resurgence of measles cases, a disease previously declared eradicated in the Maldives, the administration has now begun administering the MR vaccine to protect against the illness.
Vaccination centers in the Malé area include:
- Urban Primary Health Care (UPHC)
- Hulhumalé Hospital
- Senahiya
- Vilingilí Hospital
The Maldives eradicated measles in 2017. However, the disease has occasionally been detected among expatriates living in the country since then. The situation escalated this time because the disease began spreading increasingly among Maldivians.
As measles cases continue to rise, the HPA is carrying out extensive efforts to control the spread of the disease.
The HPA requests anyone showing symptoms of a fever accompanied by red rashes to seek medical assistance at a hospital without delay and to wear a mask when visiting medical facilities. The agency has also urged individuals tested for suspected measles to remain isolated until results are received, and to avoid public gatherings if any symptoms of the disease are present.
