The Health Protection Agency (HPA) of the Maldives has confirmed 20 additional cases of measles over the past week, bringing the total number of infections in the ongoing national outbreak to 186.

The current outbreak first emerged in May of this year, and health authorities have since observed a consistent rise in the number of reported cases. In response to the growing figures, the Ministry of Health is actively conducting a targeted vaccination campaign to ensure that all individuals who have not yet completed the mandatory two-dose regimen are immunized.

According to data released by the HPA, more than 12,000 individuals have been vaccinated during this campaign so far. This effort was significantly bolstered by a recent donation of vaccine doses from the Government of India to the Maldives.

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease caused by the measles virus. Health experts emphasize that the virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets; approximately 90% of unvaccinated individuals who come into contact with an infected person are likely to contract the disease. The infectious period begins four to five days before the characteristic rash appears and persists for several days afterward.