A child tests positive for measles in Addu City.

This was revealed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on Monday.

The authority revealed that a case of a child being tested positive for measles has been reported from Addu City. They went onto say that another child is suspected to be carrying the virus. As such, the authority stated that tests are being carried out to verify whether the the kid is positive to measles or not.

Highlighting that the two children have passed the infection period, HPA noted that there is little chance of further spread of the disease.

Measles is an eradicated disease in the Maldives. Hence HPA notes that even one such case being reported would be considered an outbreak.

HPA further disclosed that Addu Equatorial Hospital is conducting contact identification and cause of infection on the advice of the HPA and note that the vaccine will be given to those who need it very soon.

The World Health Organization (WHO) publicly declared the elimination of measles from Maldives during June 2017.

Maldives began vaccination services during 1976, having introduced vaccine for measles during 1983. The last patient to have tested positive to measles was treated during 2009.

Measles is transmitted by the respiratory route and manifests as coryza followed by a maculopapular rash after a cultivation period lasting up to seven or 21 days.