Health Minister: More dengue cases in 2011 than this year

Minister of Health Iruthisham Adam has said that more cases of dengue fever were reported in 2011 than this year.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the task force assembled by President Abdulla Yameen to take action to control the outbreak of dengue fever, Iruthisham said that most number of cases this year were reported from Shaviyani, Noonu, Raa, Baa, and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls.

She said that President Yameen met with the task force today to inquire regarding the spread of dengue fever.

“President Yameen has asked to assess the difficulties facing councils in taking measures to control dengue fever, such as the lack of fog machines, and to take expeditious action to address those issues,” Iruthisham said.

She added that Police Clinic and Senehiya Clinic are open to the public for doctors consultations.

Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr Mohamed Muizzu said that the streets of Malé are being fogged daily, as requested by Health Ministry.

- Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr Mohamed Muizzu at a press conference on Tuesday, 30 June 2015, by the task force assembled by President Yameen to take measures to control the dengue outbreak – Sun photo: Ali Naseer-

He said that fogging begins every day at 3:30 a.m., and this has been done for the past three days.

Staff to clean the streets and squares of Malé has been doubled, and a mechanism has been established for transportation of garbage from houses and construction sites to the Ufuli, said Dr Muizzu.

Minster of Home Affairs Umar Naseer urged volunteer organisations in the islands to initiate efforts to control mosquitoes.

To that effect, he requested them to visit houses to identify mosquito habitats, and give instructions to destroy them.

- Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer at a press conference on Tuesday, 30 June 2015, by the task force assembled by President Yameen to take measures to control the dengue outbreak – Sun photo: Ali Naseer-