Although the initial cases of filaria were confined to Kulhudhuffushi in the past few weeks, the heightened level of public concern has been further exacerbated by the detection of a filaria case in Hulhumale’ City.
In recent weeks, a renewed sense of apprehension has swept through the Maldives, following the resurgence of filaria cases in the country. Despite having successfully eradicated the disease in 2016, the Maldives now faces a resurgence, with 25 reported cases of filaria emerging in Kulhudhuhfushi. The re-emergence of this ailment has reignited concerns and prompted a closer examination of public health measures to address and contain the situation.
While no cases of the disease have been detected among locals thus far, a concerning trend has emerged with a surge in filaria cases among expatriate workers, reaching a total of 25 in just the past few weeks. This has triggered widespread public concern, prompting questions about how a disease, successfully eradicated in the country since 2016, could resurface this year.
The underlying cause of this unexpected resurgence stems from a critical oversight in the screening process. An official from the Health Ministry of the Maldives recently disclosed that, surprisingly, filaria was not included in the list of diseases screened during the work-permit screening process. This revelation has prompted the Health Ministry to reconsider and revise the screening protocol, contemplating the inclusion of filaria and potentially expanding the list of diseases that work permit holders are required to undergo screening for before entering the Maldives.
Although the initial cases of filaria were confined to Kulhudhuffushi in the past few weeks, the heightened level of public concern has been further exacerbated by the detection of a filaria case in Hulhumale’ City. This additional incident has underscored the need for a comprehensive and meticulous review of the screening procedures to address potential gaps and ensure the robustness of public health measures across various regions of the Maldives.
