HPA: 1,303 cases of dengue reported from Jan-March 2019

1,301 people have been treated for dengue in Maldives for far this year, reports Health Protection Agency (HPA).

HPA reports it expects an increase in dengue cases again in May and June.

Records collected by HPA shows the highest volume of dengue cases came from H. A. Atoll, R. Atoll, A. Dh. Atoll, L. Atoll and G. Dh. Atoll.

909 cases were reported from the atolls, and the remaining 394 cases were reported from Male’ City, Vilimale’ and Hulhumale’.

Most of the patients treated for dengue fever were children under the age of 10 years and adults above the age of 25 years.

Chikungunya is the second most common mosquito borne disease in Maldives. The last chikungunya outbreak in Maldives was in 2006.

421 cases of chikungunya were reported in Maldives during the first three months of this year.

Most of the patients fell above the age of 25 years, reports HPA.

HPA, this Monday, launched a nation-wide campaign to raise public awareness on mosquito borne diseases on control the spread of mosquito borne diseases.

The campaign will last throughout the month of April.

Activities planned as part of the campaign includes:

• Information sessions for school students and parents
• Release of information on mosquito borne diseases via social media
• Release of weekly national statistics on dengue and chikungunya via social media
• Cleanup programs to destroy mosquito breeding grounds in local communities through collaboration with local councils
• A high-level advocacy forum on dengue