Maldivian returning from abroad tests positive for measles
HPA calls upon the public to seek medical advice immediately if experiencing any measles symptoms.
By
Mariyam Umna Ismail
A Maldivian who returned from a trip abroad has tested positive for measles, which has been declared eradicated in the Maldives, with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) now working to prevent further spread of the disease.
The man tested positive for the measles on Tuesday, the HPA said in a statement on Thursday. He contracted the disease, the agency said, from abroad.
According to HPA:
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The man is being treated at the hospital
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His condition is improving
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He has completed two doses of measles vaccine
The HPA affirmed that the infected person had travelled during the infectious period.
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Contact tracing is underway; information is being collected on those who contacted him on the way, at home and in the hospital
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They are being identified and instructed on how to act
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People who have not complete measles vaccine doses will be vaccinated
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Ring vaccination will be conducted in the area where the patient lives
Although the risk of infection is reduced to 97% with two doses of the measles vaccine, it is one of the fastest spreading diseases.
Symptoms:
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red rash on the skin
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high fever
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cough
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runny nose
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watery eyes
HPA calls upon the public to seek medical advice immediately if they experience any of these symptoms.
Two cases of measles were reported in Addu last April. The HPA said at the time that measles is an eradicated disease in the country and that even a single case of the disease would be considered an outbreak.
Meanwhile, the UNICEF has also expressed concern over zero-dose -- children who have not completed mandatory vaccine doses -- children falling ill to such eradicated, but life threatening contagious diseases.
Gunter Boussery, Senior Health Specialist with the Immunisation & HSS at UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia wrote in April 26, "Frighteningly, measles cases have recently surged in South Asia, in the countries with the most zero-dose children. Cases have jumped in India. In Pakistan and Afghanistan, five times more children have had measles since 2020. Cases are still on the rise."
