Dengue cases expected to rise: health ministry

Ministry of Health has estimated an increase in the spread of dengue fever within the next few days.

At a press conference on Tuesday, State Minister of Health Mohamed Zuhair revealed that there has been a rapid increase in diseases spread by mosquitoes in recent days.

According to statistics publicized by the ministry, 1,493 cases of dengue have been reported so far this year which is a significant rise compared to the same period last year, when just 376 cases had been reported.

Statistics show that 660 cases of chikungunya were reported so far this year with more cases surfacing throughout the outlying atolls in recent days.

Deputy Director General at the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Nishan Ahmed revealed that they have been working tirelessly to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases across the capital city Malé and outlying islands.

Some of these actions include using insecticide in regions likely to infest mosquitoes and spreading more awareness programs on the threat mosquito-borne diseases pose. Safety precautions and doctor recommendations are shared through these awareness programs.

Nishan further said that more effort needs to be put into their work to control mosquito infestations as the monsoon season is upon us.

Malé City Mayor Shifa Mohamed highlighted that they have consistently used fogging machines in the city during weekends. They have inspected many regions as part of their work to terminate mosquito infestations, Shifa added. Some of their findings include 460 regions prone to mosquito infestations. Shifa stressed that the public’s cooperation is important in this work.