92 percent of dengue patients in Cox’s Bazar are Rohingya

Pankaj Paul, Statistician of Cox’s Bazar Civil Surgeon office on Tuesday (July 11) afternoon, confirmed that from January to July 10 this year, 2134 people were infected with dengue in Cox’s Bazar.  Out of which 1958infected persons are Rohingya.  As a percentage, which is about 92 percent of the total number of victims.  4 Rohingyas have died due to dengue in these six months.  However, the prevalence of dengue is lower than last year.

Paul said that 5 new dengue patients have been admitted in Cox’s Bazar Sadar and Teknaf.  Currently, 12 people are admitted in 8 health centers of the district.

According to the information provided by the statistician of the Civil Surgeon’s office, from January to July 10 of this year, 2007 dengue patients were detected in the Rohingya camps of Ukhia and Teknaf.  Among them, 1905 are Rohingya and 102 are local people near the camp.  Apart from this, 127 dengue patients were found in 8 health centers including Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.  Among them, 74 are local and 53 are Rohingya.  Last 23 June, 4 people have died in these 6 months with the death of one person in June.  All of them are Rohingya.

Paul said that the number of dengue cases this year can be said to be lower than last year.  In 2022, a total of 19,231 dengue cases were reported in Cox’s Bazar.  Out of which 15636 were Rohingya and 3585 were locals.  Last year, 39 people died due to dengue.  Out of which 26 Rohingyas and 13 locals.

This downward trend needs to be reviewed for two more months, said the official of the Civil Surgeon’s office.  He said that in the next two months, we will understand the dengue situation in the district if we take the statistics.

Civil surgeon Bipash Khisa said that all kinds of preparations are in place to deal with possible dengue situation.  The upazila health complexes including Sadar Hospital are ready.  At the same time awareness program is being implemented.  In particular, the Rohingya camp and its surrounding area should be kept clean, if there is stagnant water, work is going on to clean it.