Major Filariasis screening campaign to be launched in Male’ area

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced its decision to commence a major Filariasis screening campaign in the Male’ area next week.

Speaking with Sun, an official from HPA said the agency had initially decided to conduct the campaign this week, however, later decided to postpone to next week in light of the prevailing bad weather in Male’ area.

Under this campaign, samples will first be collected from Male’ City and Hulhumale’. This will be followed by sample collection from Vilimale’, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi.

As per HPA, they will be highly prioritizing screening migrant workers during the campaign, as the 32 people who have tested positive for the disease in the Maldives so far, have been limited to the country’s migrant population.

However, locals will also have the opportunity to get screened under the campaign. HPA affirmed its commitment to screen as many people as possible and strengthen the precautions in place against Filariasis.

Maldives launched a nationwide mosquito control campaign on Saturday, as it battles a rise in mosquito-borne diseases including dengue and filariasis.

However, HPA has stated that the migrants who tested positive for Filariasis originated from endemic countries.

In light of this, Maldives has reimposed mandatory medical checkups for foreign citizens who enter the Maldives on work permits