The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has revealed that two cases of measles were identified in the Malé area during the past week.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has reported two new cases of measles in the Malé area over the past week, bringing the total number of cases recorded across the Maldives this year to 286.
Following the detection of the latest cases, the HPA has urged the public to remain vigilant and follow recommended measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
The agency has advised individuals who are unsure whether they have received both doses of the measles vaccine to visit designated vaccination centres and complete their immunisation.
People who have been in contact with a person infected with measles and have not been fully vaccinated are also advised to seek vaccination as soon as possible within the recommended timeframe.
The HPA has further urged anyone experiencing a fever accompanied by a red rash to seek medical attention promptly.
Individuals undergoing testing for suspected measles have been advised to remain in isolation until their test results are confirmed.
The agency also recommends wearing a mask when visiting healthcare facilities and avoiding public gatherings by staying at home if symptoms develop.
The Maldives was verified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having eliminated endemic measles transmission in 2017, becoming one of the first two countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region, alongside Bhutan, to achieve the milestone.
Measles vaccination was incorporated into the Maldives' national immunisation programme in 1983.
According to the HPA, maintaining measles elimination requires high coverage of the two-dose vaccination programme, effective disease surveillance and a rapid response to outbreaks, as imported cases can still occur.
The HPA said a total of 16,503 people have been vaccinated so far.
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