195 cases of dengue fever and 29,307 cases of common cold were recorded in January 2023.

This was revealed by the most recent statistics publicized by the Ministry of Health on Tuesday.

The number of dengue fever cases reported so far this year, has spiked compared to the same period of previous years, according to statistics.

Statistics however indicate that the number of dengue cases reported this January has come down compared to December 2022.

As such, 205 cases of dengue were reported in December 2022, with the number dropping to 195 in January 2023.

However, even if the figure has declined, the Ministry of Health has urged caution from individuals to prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue.

Figures also indicate that the number of reported cases of common cold so far this year, has also declined comparied to the same period last year.

There has also been a decrease in the number of common cold cases reported since December 2022.

As such, 31,334 individuals consulted with a doctor after being infected with the common cold in December 2022, with the number dropping to 29,307 in January 2023.

According to influenza statistics, 103 people were tested in December 2022 and nine were diagnosed with the disease.

In January 2023, 115 were tested and 19 turned positive.

The number of people who have tested for influenza this month has risen compared to December 2022.

Further, the number of people visiting the doctor for diarrhea also increased last month, compared to December 2022.

3,362 persons sought treatment for diarrhea in December 2022, with the number rising to 3,502 last month.

The authorities have given instructions on preventing these diseases such as by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants that reveal less skin as well as to use mosquito repellent.

Some home remedies for the diseases include drinking plenty of fluids, resting and refraining from taking a medicine other than paracetamol for fever.

It is advised for those who have a fever for three days or show other signs of dengue fever to seek medication treatment.

During 2019, HPA worked tirelessly to eliminate mosquito breeding sites like using insecticide and fogging machines due to a rise in dengue and chikungunya cases reported that year.

HPA also noted that dengue and influenza are two of the most dangerous among communicable and wide-spreading diseases. As such, dengue and influenza are two of the most conspicuous diseases among those that spread widely over the Maldives, due to adverse weather, and several other reasons.

Influenza and dengue outbreaks occur during rainy seasons every year across outlying atolls.

The public has been urged to get rid of mosquito-breeding sites and take precautionary measures to control mosquito infestations.

Some of the precautionary measures that have been urged include regular hand washing, taking more fluids if one catches the cold, only using paracetamol if one has a high temperature, covering one’s nose and mouth when coughing to make sure that others don’t get infected, wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants and using mosquito repellent lotions or sprays to prevent dengue fever.

While influenza and its complications can be deadly, individuals who are 65 and older, individuals with certain chronic medical conditions like diabetes, asthma or heart diseases, pregnant women, children below five and those who have recently undergone a transplant are more prone to getting complications.