288 cases of dengue reported last month
HPA stressed the importance of focusing on preventative measures
ADK Hospital
288 cases of dengue fever were recorded in September 2023.
This was revealed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
The public health authority revealed that 327 cases of dengue fever were recorded during August 2023 and 288 in September. These figures are higher than the 250 cases recorded in August 2022 and the 269 cases reported during September 2022.
The number of dengue fever cases reported in September had declined in comparison to August, according to HPA.
However, HPA stressed the importance of focusing on preventative measures to reduce mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue.
The authorities have given instructions on preventing these diseases by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants that reveal less skin as well as using mosquito repellent. Some home remedies for the diseases include drinking plenty of fluids, resting and refraining from taking medicine other than paracetamol for fever.
Some other precautionary measures that have been urged include regular hand washing and covering one’s nose and mouth when coughing to make sure that others don’t get infected.
It is advised for those who have a fever for three days or show other signs of dengue fever to seek medication treatment.
The public has also been urged to get rid of mosquito-breeding sites and take precautionary measures to control mosquito infestations.
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.
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.
