Health Protection Agency (HPA) has revealed that the number of flu and dengue cases in the Maldives reported during the same period of 2020 has increased compared to the same period in 2019.
As per the monthly report published by HPA, the number of reported cases of flu and dengue during the period this year has increased compared to 2019. A total of 19,853 flu cases were reported in October and 20,654 were reported in November 2019 compared to the 31,750 cases reported In October and 30,552 cases reported in November this year. The highest number of flu cases were reported in Lhaviyani Atoll, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, and Baa Atoll, according to the report.
HPA stated that the number of dengue cases has also increased on average this year compared to 2019. A total of 327 cases were reported in October and 349 in November 2019. However, 626 cases were reported in October and 280 in November this year. The highest number of dengue cases were reported in the Raa Atoll, Laamu Atoll, and Noonu Atoll this year. HPA stated that 148 out of 1,275 individuals tested positive for influenza and there has been an increase in hand, foot, and mouth disease among children in November this year.
HPA has already expressed concern about the possibility of increased diseases caused by monsoon rains this year. HPA urged the public to pay special attention to the eradication of mosquito breeding grounds as rainfall increases the number of reported mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases. In addition, the HPA has advised people not to go out in public if they have symptoms of fever and illness.