Health Protection Agency (HPA) has confirmed the discovery of a second case of measles, as well as additional suspected cases of infection.

On Monday, HPA revealed via Twitter that a second case of measles has been found in addition to multiple suspected cases of measles infection and that tests of the suspected cases are currently underway.

When RaajjeTV reached out for further clarification, HPA stated that further details will be publicised after senior officials of HPA holds discussions and after tests on the suspected cases of measles infection are finalised. Moreover, HPA did not disclose the islands from where the suspected measles cases were found either.

While a three-year-old tested positive to the infectious disease on January 8th, HPA stated that the necessary investigations and preparations to combat the spread of infection are currently underway.

This includes working on preparations for a measle vaccination campaign to enable every who has not gotten two doses to complete their vaccinations and identifying individuals who have been in contact or in the vicinity of the child from 1 to 9 January.

The agency emphasises the communicable nature of the infection, as the disease can spread via air, and warns unvaccinated individuals of their high risk to become infected.

Although the World Health Organization (WHO) publicly declared the elimination of measles from the 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.