The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has confirmed that no additional case of invasive meningococcal has been found after completing the contact tracing process.
HPA had immediately begun implementing additional precautionary measures following the detection of a case of invasive meningococcal disease on 7 June.
HPA had said that following the detection of the case, relevant information is being collected while contact tracing is also being conducted. Prophylactic drugs are being administered to high-risk contacts, and other measures are being taken to prevent the spread of the disease.
After completing the contact tracing process, HPA on Saturday confirmed that no additional cases of the invasive disease had been found from the close contacts of the infected person, adding that no other cases had been reported.
Invasive meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection. The few cases reported in the Maldives are typically contracted abroad. Symptoms include fever, red skin rashes, and headaches. HPA noted that the disease can cause serious complications such as meningitis, the inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, and sepsis, a life-threatening infection of the bloodstream.
Meningococcal disease is spread through the respiratory tract. People who spend prolonged time in close contact with an infected person are more likely to be infected. Symptoms appear between one and ten days after exposure.
Preventive measures include frequent handwashing with soap and water, and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. If a fever and cough is experienced, it is best to avoid crowded places and contact with vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those suffering from illnesses.