Dengue Fever in Maldives

The Health Protection Agency, Ministry of Health, has reported a large increase in the number of people infected with the dengue fever virus this year (2019) compared to the same time period last year (2018). Through the end of April, almost 2,000 cases of this infection were registered compared to almost 540 cases last year.

Advice

The risk of exposure will vary from place to place and may be high in many localities.

All travellers to areas where the dengue fever virus is active can reduce their risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Many persons with dengue fever do not seek medical care and are not reported to health authorities. There may be many more cases in the community than the reports indicate.

Travellers should also be aware that where dengue fever virus is active, there is a possibility in some locations that the chikungunya and Zika viruses may be present also since they are transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue virus.