413 dengue cases reported in December in a significant rise

Health Protection Agency (HPA) states over 400 dengue cases were reported across the Maldives during last December.

According to statistics disclosed by the HPA on Wednesday, a total of 413 dengue cases were reported in December 2025, up from 70 cases in December 2024. This marks a 490 percent increase. It also marks an increase compared to November 2025, where 38 cases were reported.

HPA cautioned the public over rising dengue cases on December 20^th urging to take proactive steps to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate breeding sites.

Dengue fever is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which becomes infectious after biting a person already carrying the virus. The mosquito is most active during daylight hours, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.

Prevention tips from HPA and global health guidelines:

• Use repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE)  
• Wear long sleeves and pants during the day, especially in mosquito-prone areas  
• Install mosquito screens on windows and doors, and keep them closed during peak mosquito hours  
• Empty and scrub water-holding containers weekly, including buckets, flower pots, and tanks  
• Raise or overflow tanks and tree bases to prevent water stagnation  
• Clean thoroughly: mosquito eggs can survive up to six months even in dry containers

The HPA emphasized that clean water is the preferred breeding ground for dengue-carrying mosquitoes. Even small amounts of water, in bottle caps or plant saucers, can support mosquito larvae.

What to do if infected:

• Rest well and stay hydrated  
• Eat nutritious food to support recovery  
• Avoid medications other than paracetamol for fever and body aches  
• Seek medical care if symptoms worsen, especially if experiencing bleeding, vomiting, or severe fatigue

Meanwhile, 28,619 flu cases were reported in December 2025, down from 32,859 cases reported in November 2025. It also marks a decrease compared to December 2024 where 30,590 flu cases were reported.

Diarrhoea cases reported in December 2025 also decreased compared November 2025. In this regard, 2,931 diarrhoea cases were reported in December, while 4,102 diarrhea cases were reported in November.