Dengue Outbreak Doesn't Slow Vacationing in The Maldives in 2026

The Republic of Maldives is facing a troubling increase in Dengue fever cases in early 2026, which could impact its expanding number of international visitors.

Health authorities have reported 631 confirmed cases in January 2026 alone, according to the latest data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

The HPA figures indicate a significant upward trend, with reports suggesting cases are nearly six times higher than in January 2025. The highest numbers of cases have been reported in areas such as Vaavu Atoll, Kaafu Atoll, and Gaafu Alif Atoll.

This surge in Dengue cases follows a pattern of rising activity observed in the Maldives, an archipelagic country in the northern Indian Ocean, toward the end of 2025. Dengue has been endemic in the Maldives and neighboring countries, including Sri Lanka, which has reported 5,471 cases, and India, which has reported 3,019 cases this year.

Despite this significant public health concern, the Maldives is on track for a record-breaking year in tourism, with the government officially targeting 2.5 million tourist arrivals for the full year.

Dengue is a vaccine-preventable disease. The primary Dengue vaccine available globally is Qdenga®.

However, there is currently no evidence that Qdenga has been included in the Maldives' national immunization program. Recent vaccination initiatives in the country have focused on other vaccines, such as those for rotavirus and pneumococcal disease.

To alert international travelers, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a Level 1 notice that classifies the Maldives as having a frequent and continuous risk of Dengue, noting that local transmission has occurred in multiple years.

International travel health guidelines from the CDC emphasize mosquito-bite prevention as the main defense for visitors to the Maldives, recommending vaccination only for individuals with prior evidence of Dengue infection in specific high-risk situations.

Given that Dengue remains a year-round threat in the Maldives and elsewhere, health officials advise travelers to consult a vaccine expert before visiting this tropical paradise in 2026.