AEH urges caution over spike in dengue cases

Addu Equatorial Hospital (AEH) has urged caution over a recent spike in dengue cases.

The hospital revealed that due to an alarming increase in the number of dengue cases being reported across the southernmost city these days, residents are advised to practice caution.

Addu residents have been instructed to take the necessary measures to prevent dengue and eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

There has also been an alarming spike in chikungunya cases being detected across the Maldives, with 58 cases of chikungunya reported in the first four days of the ongoing month alone.

Sharing details regarding the wide-spreading dengue fever and chikungunya cases across the island nation, HPA noted that between January to May 4, a total of 660 cases of dengue were recorded.

The most effective way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases like Chikungunya and Dengue is to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and the people are urged to pay special attention to this effort.

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

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease and is life-threatening if not treated properly.

Patients are advised to be carefully monitored within the first 48 hours on the onset of fever, as the dangers of dengue are heightened in the first 24 to 48 hours after fever subsides.

As such, patients need to be extra cautious for at least two days after fever subsides.

If patients feel more exhausted after the fever subsides and develop other symptoms, they are urged to seek medical help without delay.

People have also been encouraged to avoid taking anything other than paracetamol for fever, as medicines like Brufen can lead to other health issues.

It is important to focus 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.

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, the Health Protection Agency (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.

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

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