542 dengue cases reported so far this year

Health Protection Agency (HPA) and Health ministry said on Thursday that 542 cases of dengue fever have been reported to them so far this year.

Speaking to press after dengue stakeholder meeting held at Health Ministry, an official from the ministry said that government was putting a lot of effort into controlling mosquitoes.

The official said that 542 cases of dengue fever have been reported to them during the first five months of this year – which comprises of 179 cases from Male’ and 363 cases from atolls.

The official said that ministry and HPA alone could not stop the spread of dengue. And that the help of other companies, civic societies and general public was needed.

Health ministry said that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to find a quick solution to control dengue in the country with other stakeholders.

HPA said that Male’ would be fogged at dawn for four days starting from Friday to control mosquito population. And that mosquito breeding grounds would be destroyed in both Male’ and in islands that have reported cases of dengue fever.

Two people infected with dengue – a 35-year old woman from G. Dh. Faresmaathoda and a seven-month-old baby boy from Dh. Meedhoo have died this week.