by Hafizur Rahman
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh | April 8, 2026
Chickenpox has emerged as the main health concern in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, replacing measles as the most common disease in recent months.
Health workers reported a sharp increase in infections, particularly among children living in overcrowded shelters. Between January and March 2026, nearly 8,800 people were infected with chickenpox, compared to around 1,300 cases recorded in the last six months of 2025.
In contrast, measles and rubella cases remain low, with only a small number of children affected in recent months. Health officials said this reflects the effectiveness of ongoing vaccination programmes.
Medical staff said chickenpox spreads easily in densely populated conditions, where families live in close quarters and isolation is difficult. In the camps, shared living spaces make it challenging to separate infected individuals or maintain hygiene.
A mother in the camp said her son developed fever and skin rashes, but isolating him was not possible due to limited space. Another resident said infections often spread quickly within households once one person becomes sick.
Doctors said chickenpox is highly contagious and tends to spread more during certain periods of the year, though the risk of death is generally low.
Health workers continue routine vaccination efforts and are advising families to maintain hygiene, isolate infected individuals where possible, and seek medical care when symptoms appear.
Authorities said they are monitoring the situation closely and taking steps to limit the spread of the disease in the camps.
