The Ministry of Health on Thursday stated that the meningococcal disease is not spreading in the Maldives.

The Ministry of Health said in a post on X today that health workers and the general public are not required to receive the meningococcal vaccine, but are asked to complete it for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims, travelers to countries where meningococcal disease is common.

Meningococcal disease was recently found in the Maldives, in the famous footballer, Mohammed Arif (Baka) who went to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage and returned. He died while undergoing treatment at ADK Hospital.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has identified 46 people who have been in contact with the virus.

Meningococcal infections can be life-threatening if not treated early. The disease is spread through the respiratory tract. Symptoms appear between one and ten days after infection.

Symptoms of meningococcal disease include a severe cough, always tired or weak, headaches, difficulty looking at bright light, dizziness, diarrhea, cold hands and feet, and excessive drowsiness.