The Maldives, which had previously declared Filariasis eradicated, is now grappling with heightened concerns as the disease has been detected among a group of migrant workers in Kulhudhuffushi City of Haa Dhaalu Atoll. Sixteen cases have been identified in the island, predominantly among recently arrived migrant workers from regions where Filariasis remains endemic.
Kulhudhuffushi Hospital, in conjunction with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and other organisations, discovered these cases during a health screening campaign aimed at migrants, held on 1st and 2nd of this month, coinciding with World AIDS Day. Mohamed Moosa, the Media Coordinator for Kulhudhuffushi Hospital, confirmed that further tests are scheduled to conclusively determine the presence of the disease.
Filariasis, a parasitic infection transmitted by the Culex mosquito, which thrives in unsanitary water conditions, was declared eradicated from the Maldives. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed this status in 2016, following a comprehensive survey and a visit by a WHO team in 2011. The last reported case in the Maldives was in 2004 in Fonadhoo, Laamu Atoll.
Filariasis symptoms can take 8-12 months to manifest, beginning with fever, chills, headache, vomiting, and anxiety, often without initial swelling. The disease is spread when mosquitoes bite an infected person and then transmit the worms to others.
The resurgence is particularly concerning given the infectious nature of Filariasis and the ease with which it can spread in densely populated areas. The hospital has initiated measures to screen individuals who have been in close contact with the infected migrants and is urging the public to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites as a preventive measure.
This unexpected outbreak has prompted health authorities to reassess their strategies and heighten surveillance to prevent further spread. The Maldives’ successful eradication of Filariasis was a significant public health achievement, and this recent development underscores the ongoing challenges in disease control and prevention.