Dengue cases this year increase by 600% compared to last year

Health Protection Agency (HPA), on Wednesday, reported that Dengue cases have increased by approximately 600 percent during the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year.

According to the agency’s statistical data, the number of Dengue cases has shown a steady upward trend since January.

HPA figures indicate that 374 cases of Dengue were recorded in the first four months of last year. In contrast, this figure has risen sharply to 2,183 cases during the same period this year, reflecting a substantial increase.

A monthly breakdown shows that while only 75 cases were reported in January last year, 679 cases were recorded in January this year. In February, 428 cases were reported, followed by 600 cases in March, and 476 cases have been documented thus far in April.

In addition to Dengue, there has been an increase in reported cases of flu. The HPA stated that between March 22nd and April 18th, a total of 21,687 individuals were reported to have flu. The majority of these cases were recorded in the atolls, accounting for 11,792 cases, while 9,894 cases were reported in the Greater Malé area.

Regarding influenza statistics, 99 individuals tested positive out of 791 screened in January. Although only 8 individuals tested positive out of 134 screened in February, the positivity rate has risen again, with 18 individuals testing positive out of 89 screened so far this month.

The HPA has urged the public to prioritise personal hygiene and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds in order to mitigate the spread of disease.

Notably, a 17-year-old girl passed away last week while receiving treatment for Dengue. Additionally, the disease claimed the life of a young man on April 13^th.