Health Protection Agency (HPA) has revealed 6 patients have been found positive for measles so far.
According to HPA, two were found positive from the 9 patients tested on Thursday. HPA stated one of the two individuals found positive includes a student from Ghaazee School. The agency said 33 students from Ghaazee School have not completed the full dosage of measles vaccine.
World Health organisation (WHO) had declared Maldives as a measles free country in 2017. The first case of measles in the country in two years was found on January 9. Following the spread of measles, the health ministry has been taking necessary measures to eradicate the disease.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. Signs and symptoms of the virus appear around 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, and include fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, inflamed eyes and a skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another. Although quite common, measles can almost always be prevented with a vaccine.
HPA, along with the heath ministry, has established measles screening facilities in Hulhumale'. HPA has advised early checkups if small spots are seen on the body along with fever.
Furthermore, HPA has announced an additional dose of measles vaccine is now being given to children aged between 6 and 18 months. The agency said efforts to control the outbreak of measles in Maldives include arranging mechanisms to screen for the disease and providing vaccination.
So far, 3,363 individuals have been vaccinated for measles.