Health Protection Agency (HPA) has warned those who haven’t taken vaccination for measles and been to the locations listed by the agency from 1 to 9 January, to be cautious of symptoms.

While a three-year-old tested positive to the infectious disease recently, the agency revealed that the disease could have caught in the air where the child was during the aforementioned dates. As such, those who were in the Hulhumalé central park area and cafés in the region are advised to look out for symptoms, if they have not taken the required two dosages of vaccination for Measles and Rubella.

Some other regions specifically noted by the agency include;

· Hulhumalé Hospital (between 8pm – 11pm on 4 January),

· Hulhumalé Hospital (between 5pm – 9pm on 5 January),

· Senahiya (between 7pm – 10pm on 6 January),

· Hulhumalé Hospital (between 7pm 7 January to 2am 8 January) and

· Tree Top Hospital (between 11:30am - 01:30pm 8 January).

Further, HPA also urged those with prolonged fever and spots on their skin to visit the emergency triage at Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) without a delay, if their symptoms continue longer than 21 days.

Hulhumalé residents are urged to contact Hulhumalé Hospital through 1417 for inquiries and atoll residents to consult doctors at their respective health centers.

It has been revealed that although the World Health Organization (WHO) publicly declared the elimination of measles from Maldives during June 2017, the disease is prone to re-surface as it has a high tourist arrivals rate, some of whom may already have the disease.

While HPA is working on preparations for a measle vaccination campaign to enable every who has not gotten two doses to complete their vaccinations, this is an important step to ensure the disease is eradicated from the country and does not re-emerge.

The agency has also highlighted that vaccination within three days of exposure to measles can provide protection and that if it is given after three days, symptoms are possible to catch on even with the doses.