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Fifteen patients tested, none found positive for measles

Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen has said 15 patients were tested for measles yesterday, although none of them were tested positive for the disease.

Disseminating information regarding the recent cases of measles, Health Minister Ameen said 1,200 people have been vaccinated recently as part of efforts to eradicate the spread of measles. The minister said the 1,200 people who were vaccinated include hospital staff, nurses and doctors.

The health minister also said testing for measles has been increased in recent weeks. He said there are no obstructions in testing or vaccinating, adding patients can also be quarantined and treated, if required.

Health ministry has begun assessing the situation in the islands to ensure every child is vaccinated.

Three individuals have been found positive for measles within this week, marking the return of a disease that was declared by World Health Organisation (WHO) to have been eradicated from Maldives in 2017.