Despite the alarming pace at which the H1N1 virus is spreading in the capital Male, regional hospitals have informed that swine flu has been relatively contained in the Atolls.
According to the authorities, there have a total 51 confirmed H1N1 positive cases though its remains unclear the number of expats in the figure.
A pregnant woman from Haa Dhaal Atoll Kulhudhuffushi island was airlifted to the capital Male after she reportedly tested positive for the virus. She had undergone an emergency C-section late Tuesday but remains in critical condition.
"We've not seen an exponential rise in patients. But people have been coming in with the flu which is common with the seasonal change," a Kulhudhuffushi hospital official told Avas on Wednesday.
Addu City Regional Hospital manager, Abdulla Jameel told Avas that the hospital is yet to register a patient exhibiting symptoms common with swine flu. He reported that the southernmost Atoll has not been affected by the virus in comparison with other areas of Maldives.
While the largest hospitals in the Northern and Southern Atolls of Maldives have yet to report a patient influx, flue cases have not risen in Raa Atoll Ungoofaaru Hospital or the Laamu Atoll Gan Hospital either.
Gan hospital director, Abdul Hannan Abdul Raheem said though the hospital had treated patients with fever, no one had exhibited swine flu symptoms thus far.
Ungoofaaru hospital manager Sheeza Ibrahim noted that even though fever cases had hiked, it was now returning to normal. She said there were no critical patients at the hospital while there was no evidence of swine flu in the island.
Precaution key to combat H1N1
While the H1N1 virus has started to take hold in Male' City, the most important step to be taken now would be take proper precautions against the virus to combat its spread to the atolls of Maldives. Hospitals across the nation are uniting in efforts to raise awareness in the islands against the disease.
HPA has also urged public to take preventive steps, and advised against visiting crowded public places and holding events.
Authorities have also asked travelers going abroad to be mindful as the virus also appears to be spreading in neighbouring India and Sri Lanka, popular destinations for locals.
HPA has also advised against visiting hospitals and clinics unless completely necessary.
Symptoms of the swine flu include coughing, fever, sore throats, body aches, headaches, shivering as well as exhaustion.
