Amidst a seasonal spike in respiratory infections and influenza, the Health Protection Agency has found H1N1 positive cases during routine influenza surveillance and testing.
“However, this is not similar to the swine flu pandemic,” the HPA said in a statement released at 1:00am on Monday.
The agency did not reveal the number of swine flu cases.
The HPA explained that the H1N1 flu virus has been circulating as a normal seasonal influenza every year since the 2009 pandemic when it was a new strain. More people have since developed immunity and the virus does not spread as fast.
“As such, H1N1 is now similar to any other influenza and not any more severe or dangerous,” the HPA said.
“However, very young children, the elderly and those with certain pre-existing conditions such as lung diseases can have more severe disease or have complications when infected with any type of influenza.”
The HPA said it is working with clinicians, health facilities and other authorities to take measures for controlling the spread of influenza in line with epidemic control protocols.
Last week, the health ministry cautioned that the contagious common cold and viral fever have been spreading across the Maldives and recommended measures to avoid infections.
On Saturday, the government-run Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Malé opened a flu clinic from 8:00am to 12:00am for cold and viral fever patients.
As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of influenza in the densely-packed capital, the IGMH cut short visiting hours from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and temporarily closed its children’s play area.
As of Sunday, children under 12 are also not allowed to visit patients at the hospital.
More than 30 H1N1 cases were found in the Maldives during the global pandemic in 2009. A 65-year-old man from the island of Inguraidhoo in Raa atoll who died on November 18, 2009, was the first casualty of swine flu in the Maldives.
At the time, the authorities closed down public parks, advised against gatherings, and opened a swine flu clinic and hotline. The outbreak was controlled in January 2010.
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