Health Protection Agency (HPA) has revealed dengue cases reported in the first three months of this year increased compared to the past three years.
Statistics of HPA showed so far this year 1,772 patients have consulted the doctor with symptoms of dengue. In this regard, while 365 cases were reported this month, 466 cases were reported in March, 422 and 518 cases were reported in January and February respectively which is an increase compared to the same period of the past three years.
Most number of dengue cases were reported from Haa Dhaalu atoll, Alifu Alifu Atoll, Laamu atoll and Male' area, according to statistics. Statistics showed 72 cases were reported from Laamu Atoll, 46 cases were reported from Haa Dhaalu atoll, 31 cases were reported from Alifu Alifu atoll and 65 cases from Male', Villimale' and Hulhumale'.
Meanwhile, 800 patients were reported with Chikungunya, with most cases reported from Male' area, Gaafu Alifu Atoll and Thaa atoll. In this regard, so far this year, 407 cases of Chikungunya were reported from Male' area, 291 cases were from Gaafu Alifu Atoll and 34 cases of Chikungunya were reported from Thaa Atoll.
Both Chikungunya and Dengue are viral infections spread by the Aedes mosquito. Symptoms for Chikungunya and Dengue are almost identical with high fever, headache, eye ache, joint pain, rashes and lethargy.