Health Minister Assures Measles Outbreak Can Be Contained as Cases Continue to Rise

Health Minister Geela Ali has said the ongoing measles outbreak in the Malé area is not a situation beyond the control of health authorities, assuring that the spread can be contained by following established response procedures.

Speaking in Parliament today, Minister Geela said authorities are taking necessary measures to control the outbreak and stressed that adherence to the proper procedures would ensure the situation remains manageable.

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She said measles testing equipment has been distributed to the atolls as well as Malé, adding that the outbreak is unlikely to spiral out of control due to the high level of immunity within the population from previous vaccination programmes.

She said the affected areas are not facing a critical situation because a large portion of the population has previously received measles vaccinations, which would assist authorities in containing the outbreak without resorting to extreme measures.

The remarks come as the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported a sharp increase in measles cases, with 55 new infections detected in the past week alone. According to HPA statistics released today, the latest cases have brought the total number of measles infections recorded in the Malé area to 121.

ވޭތުވެދިޔަ ހަފްތާގައި ހިމަބިހި (މީސްލްސް) ކޭސްތަކުގެ އަދާހަމަ#measles pic.twitter.com/fxHKaS1rVd— Health Protection Agency (@HPA_MV) July 7, 2026

HPA said the majority of those infected are Maldivians, with adults above the age of 18 accounting for the highest number of cases.

To prevent further transmission, the agency has launched a targeted vaccination programme in collaboration with relevant authorities, focusing on children under the age of 18 and healthcare workers. HPA said 5,495 people have received measles vaccinations so far as part of the response efforts.

The current outbreak was first identified in mid-May, when HPA and ADK Hospital issued warnings after detecting measles cases. The resurgence comes after the Maldives had previously achieved elimination status for measles.

Amid the rise in cases, paediatrician Dr Ahmed Faisal has called for the administration of a second measles vaccine dose for individuals aged 15 to 35, citing immunity gaps among older adolescents and young adults.

Sharing findings from a 2023 study published by the World Health Organization (WHO) through its Expanded Programme on Immunisation, Dr Faisal highlighted a gap among individuals aged 14 to 20, many of whom were born before the second measles-containing vaccine dose (MCV2) was introduced or fully integrated into the national immunisation programme.

The study found that while around 82 per cent of individuals aged 14 to 20 remain protected through a single vaccine dose, approximately 18 per cent remain vulnerable due to the absence of the second dose. Dr Faisal urged those who have not received MCV2 to get vaccinated without delay.

The Maldives is among several South Asian countries experiencing a resurgence of measles, with outbreaks also reported in Bangladesh and India. Health authorities have linked the increase to immunity gaps caused by missed routine vaccinations.

Measles is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. The virus can remain in the air or on contaminated surfaces for up to two hours, and around 90 per cent of unvaccinated people exposed to an infected person are likely to contract the disease.