Dengue and chikungunya cases continue to rise: HPA
506 cases of dengue reported during April alone
Mosquito, the source through which dengue and chikungunya spreads
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has revealed that reported cases of dengue and chikungunya have increased.
HPA statistics revealed that 506 cases of dengue were reported within the past month, April which is a two-fold increase compared to previous years.
The most reported cases of dengue were during January. According to statistics, 518 cases of dengue were reported during the first month of the year.
So far this year, 1,930 cases of dengue have been reported, revealed the HPA.
HPA further estimated the number to increase in the coming days.
In addition, statistics also show that 839 cases of chikungunya were reported so far this year with 307 cases being reported during April alone.
Most cases of Chikungunya were reported from Malé.
Since both diseases are mosquito-borne diseases, the agency gave instructions on preventing the diseases such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants that reveal less skin as well as to use mosquito repellent.
Some of the symptoms of dengue include:
- Less urination,
- Mild bleeding,
- Vomiting,
- Muscle and joint pain,
- Fatigue and headaches and
- Sudden and abnormal high fever among a few.
Some home remedies for the diseases include drinking plenty of fluids, resting and refraining from taking a medicine other than paracetamol for fever.
It is advised for those who have a fever of three days or show other signs of Dengue Fever to seek medication treatment.
Earlier, HPA also revealed that they have been working tirelessly to eliminate mosquito breeding sites like using insecticide and fogging machines.
