HPA Warns of Rising Dengue Cases, Urges Urgent Community Prevention Measures 

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has raised concern over a noticeable increase in dengue fever cases across the Maldives, warning that urgent community-wide action is needed to prevent further spread of the mosquito-borne disease.

Dengue, transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, can affect people of all ages, but health authorities have highlighted that infants, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic illnesses are at significantly higher risk of developing severe complications.

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The agency also noted that the same mosquito species is responsible for other viral diseases, including chikungunya and Zika, underscoring broader public health risks.

HPA said symptoms typically appear two to seven days after infection and include: 

• high fever above 39°C 
• severe headache 
• fatigue 
• pain behind the eyes
• muscle and joint pain 
• nausea, vomiting 
• abdominal discomfort 
• skin rashes 

It warned that patients showing severe signs such as persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, extreme restlessness or lethargy, or unexplained bleeding from the nose or gums require immediate medical attention.

Health officials further advised that fever lasting more than three days should prompt a blood test to check platelet levels and other indicators of viral infection.

މިދުވަސްވަރު ޑެންގީ ހުން ފެތުރޭ މިންވަރު އިތުރުވޭ!

މަދިރި ހެފުމުން ރައްކާތެރިވެ، މަދިރި އާލާވާ ތަންތަން ނައްތާލައި، ފެން ހަރުލާފައި ހުންނަ ތަކެތި ހަފުތާއަކު އެއްފަހަރު ސާފުކުރައްވާ! ބަލިވެ އުޅޭނަމަ އަރާމުކުރުމާ، ގިނައިން ދިޔާ އެއްޗެހި ބޭނުންކުރައްވާ، އަދި އަލާމާތްތައް ގޯސްވާނަމަ… pic.twitter.com/v31WBv6Nwz— Health Protection Agency (@HPA_MV) June 21, 2026

As part of prevention efforts, the HPA stressed that eliminating mosquito breeding grounds is the most effective control measure, urging households and businesses to remove stagnant water from containers, rooftops, and outdoor areas on a weekly basis.

Residents were also advised to regularly clean indoor water storage, replace water in flower vases, and ensure construction sites do not accumulate standing water.

In addition, the agency recommended the use of mosquito repellents containing approved active ingredients, wearing protective clothing, and installing screens and nets, particularly during peak mosquito activity at sunrise and sunset.

The HPA also reminded that individuals infected with dengue should avoid being bitten by mosquitoes to prevent further community transmission.