Hospitals across the Greater Malé Region are starting to get packed, following a sudden increase in cases of diarrhea and vomiting.

Two of the largest hospitals in the capital, Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and ADK Hospital have reported that they have been attending several cases of diarrhea and vomiting in the Emergency Room of recent.

According to Pediatrician Dr. Ahmed Faisal, the ER of IGMH is cramped with children suffering from diarrhea and vomiting.

The pediatrician has issued a number of instructions to follow, to be safe from contracting the disease. As such, he has instructed the public to take special care in maintaining hygiene by regularly washing hands before consuming food, to wash hands frequently, to take in more fluids and to take medicines to treat diarrhea at home.

Dr. Faisal highlighted that an IV might be required if the patient falls too weak.

Pediatrician at ADK, Dr. Ahmed Niyaf has also confirmed that they have been receiving a large number of diarrhea and vomiting cases at the ADK ER in the past couple of days.

He highlighted that ADK is observing a sudden heavy surge in patients presenting to the ER with vomiting and diarrhea including children and young adults. He urged the public to ensure the water they consume is clean, adding that boiled and cooled or filtered water is a safe option.

Dr. Niyaf added that good hand and personal hygiene are of utmost importance during such an outbreak.

Taking to Twitter on Friday morning, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed that a sudden increase in diarrhea and vomiting has been observed in the congested capital city of Maldives, since Thursday.

The public health authority is currently collaborating with relevant authorities to identify the cause of the outbreak.