First fatality in influenza outbreak

An 84-year-old who tested positive for the influenza A virus has died while being treated at the ADK hospital in the capital.

The hospital’s managing director, Ahmed Afaal, said the woman from Haa Alif Baarah island died at around 4:30 am Wednesday.

He said the hospital has opened a special flu clinic to cope with a surge in the number of people seeking treatment.

“Some 200 people consulted about two or three days ago and the number is increasing,” he told local newspaper Mihaaru.

The Health Protection Agency was unavailable for comment, but recently advised people to take precautions to curb a spike in influenza, dengue and viral fever.

The HPA previously warned of an increased dengue risk but was silent on the number of reported fatalities.

Last month, Malé city council also warned about the risk of disease outbreak due to increased litter in the capital’s streets.

More than 200 people came down with the influenza virus in early 2017, with six fatalities caused by the H1N1 or swine flu.