Health Protection Agency (HPA) has revealed that the child who was tested positive for measles had not completed the full vaccination dosage.
HPA said the 3 year old child, who lives in the Male’ region, had not received two mandatory measles vaccination doses which are supposed to be given at the ages of 9 months and 18 months. The agency said the child has been treated at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and released after the contagious period was over.
HPA added the child underwent tests under the measles and rubella surveillance system, which mandates tests for any fever accompanies by skin rashes. After the child was tested positive for measles, HPA followed it up with further investigations on the whereabouts of the child during the contagious period. The agency has begun efforts to identify individuals who had contact with or were near to the child during this period and arrange vaccination for them if they have not received the full measles vaccination.
HPA has requested individuals without the full measles vaccination to report to the agency if they were present at the following locations during the described time periods.
- Hulhumale’ Hospital on January 4, 2020 (8 pm to 11 pm)
- Hulhumale’ Hospital on January 5, 2020 (5 pm to 9 pm)
- Senahiya on January 6, 2020 (7 pm to 10 pm)
- Hulhumale’ Hospital on January 7, 2020 (7 pm to 2 am)
- Tree Top Hospital on January 8, 2020 (11:30 am to 1:30 pm)
- Hulhumale’ Central Park and nearby cafés from January 1-9, 2020 (evening hours)
The agency also requested individuals present at these locations to be wary of any symptoms for measles and seek treatment immediately if they contract a fever with skin rashes within the next 21 days.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. Symptoms of the disease include fever, skin rashes, coughing, runny nose and sore, red eyes.
Ministry of Health had conducted a nation-wide public vaccination program to eliminate measles from the country. In 2017, Maldives was declared measles-free by World Health Organisation (WHO).
HPA has urged the public to complete the measles vaccination dosage during the prescribed period. The agency said special attention must be given to ensure children receive all the necessary vaccination doses.