Dengue cases spiral drastically across the Maldives

The number of dengue fever cases being reported across the Maldives has surged drastically.

This was revealed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in its monthly communicable disease report publicized on social media platform ‘X’, for the month of May 2024.

As such, the public health authority revealed that there was an increase in the number of dengue fever cases reported in May as compared to April this year.

HPA stressed that dengue spread drastically during this time last year as well.

The public health authority disclosed that 244 cases of dengue were reported in April this year.

This figure increased to 610 during May.

HPA noted that dengue cases have mostly been increasing in the Greater Malé Region (GMR) as well as Kaafu, Haa Alif and Baa atolls.

Statistics go on to reveal that other communicable diseases have also been surging lately, including viral fever and diarrhea.

In April this year, 2,714 cases of diarrhea were reported. The number increased slightly during May, sitting at 2,923.

HPA revealed that 9,674 cases of viral fever were reported during April 2024 and the number spiralled to 12,352 in May.

22,739 cases of common cold were reported during April, followed by 21,720 in May.

Viral fever cases mostly increased across GMR, Kaafu atoll and Baa atoll, whereas common cold cases were reportedly high in islands across Haa Alif, Baa and Lhaviyani atolls.

Cases of diarrhea were reportedly higher in Kaafu atoll and Fuvahmulah City in comparison to other regions.

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

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 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.

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 treatment.

During 2019, HPA worked tirelessly to eliminate mosquito breeding sites by using insecticide and fogging machines due to a rise in dengue and chikungunya cases reported that year.

HPA stressed 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.