Faresmaathoda battles viral fever outbreak that sees half of population seeking medical assistance

GDh. Faresmaathoda is experiencing a significant increase in cases if viral fever, which has seen half of the island’s population seeking medical assistance, according to the local health center.

Faresmaathoda has a residential population of around 1,100 people.

Yasir Mohamed, the manager at the Faresmaathoda Health Center, said that half of the population had consulted with a doctor after contracting viral fever amid the current outbreak.

He said that the health center saw the highest volume of patients on Thursday and Friday, with 54 patients on Thursday, and another 40 the next day.

Yasir said that the number remains high on Monday.

He said that seven patients were currently receiving hospitalized treatment.

Two doctors and nurses have been deployed from neighboring Thinadhoo to assist the Faresmaathoda Health Center as it grapples with the high number of patients.

The Faresmaathoda only has one in-house doctor – a general medicine practitioner.

Yasir said that there were currently no difficulties in accessing medicines, with the State Trading Organization (STO) ensuring a steady supply.

“STO is providing the medicines needed by the patients. Medicine supplies are diverted from other islands in the atoll ensuring patients receive the medicine they need when the stock runs low,” he said.

Faresmaathoda Health Center had issued a public advisory on May 6, warning of an increase in patients suffering from viral fever and flu.

The center urged people to take precautions against viral fever and other contagious diseases.