Minister of Health Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has stressed that the number of Chikungunya cases being detected across the Maldives is on the rise and 59 cases have been reported from the Greater Malé Region alone this concluding month.

In a post on social media platform ‘X’, the minister revealed that with the monsoon season ahead, if precautionary measures are not taken, breeding of mosquitos will spiral.

Highlighting that the most effective way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases like Chikungunya and Dengue is to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, Minister Khaleel urged the people to pay special attention to this effort.

This comes at a time the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has also urged caution over a sudden surge in Chikungunya cases.

Speaking to RaajjeMV,officials of public health authority revealed that cases of Chikungunya have been on the rise this month. Some of the symptoms of Chikungunya include fever, headaches, and pain in joints.

HPA revealed that similar to Dengue and Zika virus, Chikungunya is also a mosquito-borne disease that poses significant health risks.

The public health authority has urged the public to practice safety measures to shield from mosquito bites that can cause the disease.

HPA highlighted that the number of Chikungunya and Dengue cases are likely to increase in the coming days due to unpredictable adverse weather conditions.

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.

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

According to findings and data, the last outbreak of Chikungunya in the Maldives, was reported in 2006.