Over 2,000 Dengue Cases Recorded in First Four Months of This Year, Says HPA

Dengue fever cases in the Maldives have increased more than fourfold in the first four months of this year compared with the same period in 2025, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

A total of 2,183 dengue cases were recorded between January and April 2026, up from 374 cases during the same period last year, reflecting a significant upward trend since the beginning of the year.

Monthly data shows a sharp rise across all four months. In January, 679 cases were reported compared with 75 in January 2025. February saw 428 cases, up from 87 the previous year, while March recorded 600 cases compared with 76 in March 2025. April has so far recorded 476 cases, compared with 135 in the same month last year.

The HPA said dengue cases have been steadily increasing since the start of the year.

Alongside dengue, the agency also reported a rise in cold and flu-like illnesses, particularly in the atolls outside Malé. Between 22 March and 18 April, a total of 21,687 cases of respiratory illness were recorded nationwide, including 11,792 in the atolls and 9,894 in the Malé area.

Influenza cases have also shown an increase during the same period. In January, 99 out of 791 tested individuals were confirmed positive. In February, eight cases were detected out of 134 tests, followed by five positives from 105 tests in March. So far in April, 18 out of 89 tested individuals have been confirmed with influenza.