Nation wide screening for filariasis to be conducted
The random samples for the testing are to be collected in the coming Friday, 16th February 2024, between 1600 to 2100 hours.
In December 2023, the Maldives experienced a concerning resurgence of Filaria, a debilitating parasitic disease, after nearly eight years of relative quiet on the health front. The outbreak sent shockwaves across the nation, particularly in Kulhudhuffushi, where several immigrant workers were identified as being afflicted with the illness.
This unexpected outbreak sparked a nationwide alarm, prompting authorities to issue urgent warnings for heightened vigilance and awareness regarding the symptoms of Filaria. As health officials scrambled to contain the spread of the disease, communities were urged to remain vigilant and report any signs of infection promptly.
Although the updates on new filaria cases have not been reported as of 2024, the Government is taking further proactive measures by hosting country-wide screening for the condition. While it might sound like everyone would need to be screened, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has made it clear that a certain number of people will be randomly selected and tested from each island or city. With this random sampling procedure, HPA would be able to conclude whether filaria is spreading in other parts of the Maldives as well.
The test which is conducted in order to diagnose filaria is an antigen test, which shows quick results in just 10-15 minutes. The random samples for the testing are to be collected in the coming Friday, 16th February 2024, between 1600 to 2100 hours.
The test will be conducted on foreign workers as well, after getting permits from the employers. Additionally, HPA has also made it clear that anyone testing positive for filaria during the screening will get treatment from a healthcare worker.
