Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Khaleel says the government is taking affirmative action to control the spread of mosquito-borne diseases Dengue and Chikungunya and that all must do their part to prevent the diseases.
Speaking at a news conference held by the Ministry today, Minister Khaleel said while the diseases are spreading rapidly in the country, the government is doing all it can to control the illnesses.
He also said that individuals must work to eradicate the diseases along with the government and that the diseases can only be controlled if they work in this manner.
Minister Khaleel noted that it was important to get rid of mosquito breeding grounds and clean homes and houses. He called on every Maldivian to get involved in this effort.
The Minister further said that the country has a sizable migrant worker population and the Ministry has begun Dengue and Chikungunya awareness programs for them. He added that these awareness sessions would be conducted in their native languages and that it would be held across the country.
Health Protection Agency HPA said yesterday that 68 cases of Dengue were reported between 5th and 11th May and 774 cases have been detected in the whole year. As for Chikungunya, 389 cases have been reported so far this year; out of this 104 cases were reported between 5th May and 11th May.
