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Viral fever spreading in all atolls — 2,700 people contract diarrhoea, viral fever, influenza and measles in four days Ahmed Abdullah Haveeru 27 June - 6 July 2002 translations by Maldives Culture editors Viral fever is spreading rapidly in all atolls according to a Maldives government Public Health report. Statistics reveal the most affected atoll outside Malé is Seenu Atoll; and in Laamu, Thaa, and Gaafu Alif and Raa atolls over 30 people contract the disease each day. Diarrhoea is also spreading throughout Maldives. The statistics show that apart from Haa Alif, Shaviyani, Vaavu, and Dhaalu atolls,diarrhoea is spreading in all the other atolls. Eighteen atolls have also reported of the spread of influenza. Dr Ahmed Razi, Medical Director of Ministry of Health said that there is a serious threat that influenza will spread into all the atolls. The government is taking the appropriate steps to control the epidemics. These include arranging easy access to health services in Malé and other islands, and closing down pre-schools and primary schools. Experts from overseas have been called in to investigate the epidemics. Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Malé announced on 3 July that the number of people contracting influenza was not declining. Abdullah Afeef, paediatrician, said that though more people were contracting the virus there had been no serious cases so far. Public Health records show that on the first of this month there were 905 people infected with viral fever in Maldives. On the same day 244 people were reported to have contracted diarrhoea, and 343 people were reported to have contracted influenza. Yesterday the number of reported cases of viral fever was slightly down, he said. 'Yesterday 831 people received medical treatment from doctors for viral fever. 153 people contracted diarrhoea and 331 people contracted influenza.' On 27 June Ahmed Abdullah reported that within the previous four days 2,700 people had contracted diarrhoea, viral fever, influenza and measles according to the records of the Department of Public Health. 'The statistics shown to Haveeru newspaper on Thursday show that the spread of diarrhoea, viral fever, influenza and measles is coming under control. However, viral fever and influenza has been spreading rapidly since 22 June 2002. Up until last Tuesday 1,290 people have been infected with viral fever. These include 593 cases recorded in Male', and 697 cases recorded in the other atolls. In four days 1,018 people contracted influenza.' 'The measles epidemic is now under control,' says this report. 'Records show that in the last four days 28 people contracted measles. The Department of Public is urging people to take extra care for general hygiene to prevent the diseases that began to spread along with the beginning of rainy season.' |
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Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldivian cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdulla, Australia
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