Measles outbreak critical, yet to fully control it: minister

The wide-spreading measles outbreak in the Maldives is critical and authorities are yet to fully control the disease from spreading, says Minister of Health, Abdulla Ameen.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday to provide the latest updates of the measles outbreak, Ameen stressed that he does not believe authorities have yet controlled the spread of the disease since it resurfaced in the Maldives earlier in January.

Shedding light on the dangers measles present, Ameen touched on the importance of practicing caution and taking the responsibility of vaccinations by oneself.

Since the disease resurfaced with the first case having been reported after a three-year-old tested positive, thus far 12 individuals have tested positive for the disease.

A total of 173 individuals have been tested for the infectious virus thus far and all 12 who turned positive were based in capital city Malé region.

Further, Ameen revealed that authorities have successfully been administering vaccinations to contacts and neighbors of those positive to the disease thus far. The total of vaccinated individuals thus far reaches 1,384.

The ministry has also begun administering two dosages of MR and MMR vaccination to children under 18 years of age who haven’t taken the required doses, and an additional dose to infants between six months and 18 months of age.

1,780 children have been vaccination under the campaign thus far and a total of 2,647 workers in the health sector have also been given vaccine doses.

The total number of individuals who have acquired vaccine doses thus far reaches 7,961.

Ameen went on to reveal that they have set up vaccination stalls in four regions of the Greater Malé Area for those under 40 years of age to complete their required dosages. This comes as part of the government’s outbreak response movement.

Vaccination has been made available through Dhamanaveshi and Social Center in Malé, the second floor of Hulhumalé Indoor Sports Complex and Villimalé Ferry Terminal region.

Starting 23 February, the ministry is set to begin a nationwide campaign for vaccination, during which both locals and foreigners will be given vaccine doses. During the campaign, vaccination teams are set to visit schools to administer vaccines to students and teachers as well.

Although the World Health Organization (WHO) publicly declared the elimination of measles from Maldives during June 2017, the disease resurfaced in the Maldives in early January. The ministry made the reveal on 8 January after the first case emerged after the parents of the child who tested positive, had refused to vaccinate him.