HPA has revealed that spread of Chikungunya is not contained and implored all citizens to take protective measures from the disease. A total of 78 cases has been reported to the agency during the last five week with most reports emerging from Male' region.
Health Protection Agency (HPA) has stated that the spread of Chikungunya which is caused by mosquito bites has not been contained.
The agency stated that 78 cases of Chikungunya has been reported from across the country during the last five weeks.
Elaborating that the highest number of reported cases are currently emerging from Male' region, they revealed that the highest number of cases of Chikungunya are found within people aged above 25 years.
Chikungunya is a disease that occasionally remerges. However, HPA explained that cases of the disease escalate only every three years.
The latest mass case of Chikungunya unfolded in 2019 with the agency's statistics revealing that a total of 4,420 cases were reported from January to February that year.
- High fever
- Headache
- Joint ache
- Rashes
- Increased fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Within efforts extended by HPA to contain the disease and reduce mosquitoes, they have launched programs to destroy mosquito breeding sites and clean local islands. They have also shared guidelines to strengthen prevention of the disease in addition to making efforts to solidify reports on cases. Moreover, the agency is also holding clinical management sessions in a bid to provide treatment to patients contracted with the disease.
HPA has implored civilians to employ protective measures against mosquito bites and eliminate mosquitoes that carry the infection to stay safe from the disease. Furthermore, they have also urged destruction of possible breeding sites and utilize mosquito repellants such as mosquito lotion and spray to prevent mosquito bites.
Due to high possibilities of mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue and Chikungunya escalating amid the upcoming days due to predictions that breeding sites will increase as a result of the approaching Hulhangu Moosun (Southwest Monsoon which lasts from May until November and brings heavy rainfall and strong gusts), the agency has also entreated to take protective measures against the disease in advance.
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