Chikungunya is spreading rapidly in the Greater Malé Region, with 59 cases having been reported in the city this month alone.

Health Minister Dr Abdullah Khaleel in a post on X stated that with the rainy season ahead, the number of mosquitoes that spread chikungunya will increase if special measures are not taken.

"The easiest way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases like chikungunya and dengue is to destroy mosquito breeding grounds. Special attention is urged to this," he said.

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral fever. The disease is spread when a blood-sucking mosquito from an infected person infects an uninfected person. Patients show symptoms within three to seven days of the week.

The Health Protection Agency has previously said that the disease most affects pregnant women, infants, the elderly and people suffering from other diseases.