Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) has on Sunday requests citizens to only visit hospital only if necessary, due to the large number of those diagnosed with viral flu.

An announcement released by IGMH, states that there are many flu-stricken patients being treated at the hospital and therefore asked that people think twice before visiting the hospital unless it concerns children and the elderly.

Private-run ADK Hospital has opened a Flu Clinic following the recent upsurge in flu-stricken patients.

According to ADK statistics, 115 patients had come in due to fever on the 15th of May alone and 98 patients had visited the following day.

Previous years saw a rise in flu-stricken patients in the same time period as well.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has also appealed on the public to be cautious of dengue fever. According to a press release published by the agency, dengue cases have risen in the outlying atolls.