16 cases of locally eradicated disease Filariasis identified from Kulhudhuffushi

16 cases of an eradicated disease from the Maldives, Filariasis, have been identified from HDh. Kulhudhuffushi.

Kulhudhuffushi Hospital told Sun that the cases were identified from a group of migrants residing on the island.

The cases were identified during a health screening camp held for migrants by Kulhudhuffushi Hospital in collaboration with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and some other organizations.

“Some tests conducted during [the camp] included a test screening for Filaria. 16 cases were identified during the screening process. Efforts are underway to conduct additional tests to get further confirmation of the disease,” the media official of the hospital said.

As per the hospital, the migrants had only recently arrived at the island from a nation where the disease is still prevalent.

The hospital added that efforts were underway to screen the people who were living alongside the migrants who had tested positive.

Filariasis is an infectious disease transmitted through the Culex mosquito – a type of mosquito that breeds in dirty water. Therefore, a precaution against the disease will be to eliminate probable breeding grounds and to take preventive measures against mosquito bites.