Rohingya bear brunt of Cox’s Bazar dengue surge, all six deaths in camps

Dengue infections are rising across Cox’s Bazar, with Rohingya refugees accounting for nearly two-thirds of cases and all six deaths recorded in the district this year, according to health authorities.

From January 1 to September 15, Cox’s Bazar recorded 3,856 dengue cases. Of them, 2,507, about 65%, were Rohingya.

All six people who died from the mosquito-borne disease were also Rohingya, Health Department data showed.

As of September 15, 35 dengue patients were receiving treatment at hospitals across the district, including 22 at Cox’s Bazar District Sadar Hospital.

Health officials said infections were no longer concentrated in a particular area, with cases detected in almost every upazila.

Among the local population, Teknaf recorded the highest number, with 332 cases and 294 hospitalisations. Maheshkhali reported 268 cases and 267 admissions, while Chakaria recorded 261 cases, including 159 hospitalisations.

Ukhiya reported 195 cases, Cox’s Bazar Sadar 95, Eidgaon 58, Ramu 53, Pekua 14 and Kutubdia 13.

Camps face heavier burden

The situation is more acute inside the densely populated Rohingya camps.

Of the 2,507 cases recorded among Rohingya as of August 29, 2,505 required hospitalisation, according to Health Department figures.

Another 135 cases were detected in the camps this week, said Dr Abu Toha Md Rizuanul Haque Bhuiyan, chief health coordinator at the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner.

Nayapara Registered Refugee Camp had the highest infection rate relative to population at 1.61%, followed by Camp 14 at 0.81%, Camp 26 at 0.34%, Camp 19 at 0.31% and Camp 4 Extension at 0.12%.

Talking with Daily Waadaa, Dr Abu Toha attributed the higher risk to overcrowding, poor drainage and stagnant rainwater, which provide breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.

Cases continuing to rise as the monsoon nears its end have renewed concerns over containing transmission in the camps.

91% of MSF patients Rohingya

Data from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) also show the disproportionate burden on the refugee population.

MSF treated around 750 dengue patients through its Cox’s Bazar medical network between January and August this year. About 91% were from Rohingya camps, according to Dr Ashis Das, the organisation’s deputy country representative for medical affairs.

Its network includes three field hospitals — Kutupalong, Goyalmara and Hospital on the Hill — and two primary healthcare centres serving the camps and surrounding communities.

Citing Health Sector data, Dr Das told Waadaa that Camp 14, Nayapara Registered Refugee Camp, Camp 26 and Camp 15 had relatively high concentrations of dengue patients by the end of August.

Confirmed cases, however, have been reported from every Rohingya camp.

MSF currently considers dengue transmission in Cox’s Bazar a seasonal fluctuation rather than an active outbreak and said the overall prevalence remains lower than last year.

Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer Panna Akter said greater public awareness was needed as dengue typically intensifies during the monsoon.

Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury, president of Ukhiya Upazila BNP and a former upazila chairman, told Waadaa that accumulated waste and stagnant water inside the camps were contributing to mosquito breeding.

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