The Health Protection Agency has reported 23 new measles cases in the past week, bringing the total for the year to 144.
Most of the latest infections were identified in the Greater Male area. The cumulative total includes a sharp increase earlier in the month. A 24-year-old patient who had been treated for the disease at Hulhumale Hospital died; the agency is examining whether measles was the direct cause.
The Maldives had previously declared the disease eradicated. In response to the resurgence, the HPA has run an emergency vaccination campaign and has administered vaccines to 7,100 people so far.
Health officials continue to urge vaccination and early reporting of symptoms. No further deaths have been confirmed as measles-related in the latest update.
