The dengue outbreak in Cox’s Bazar has escalated alarmingly over the past three months, with the disease’s spread showing no signs of slowing down. As of mid-September, the total number of dengue patients in the district has surged to approximately 6,500. Of these, 3,585 are Rohingya refugees, while nearly 3,000 are local residents. Tragically, all five fatalities reported so far have been from the Rohingya community.
According to sources from the Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, 511 patients have received treatment for dengue in September, up until Wednesday, September 18. This group includes 280 males (39 children) and 231 females (28 children). As of September 18, 68 dengue patients, including 10 children, are admitted to the hospital. Among them, 39 were admitted just a day earlier, with seven being children, including three Rohingya refugees.
Hospital records indicate a worrying increase in dengue cases. In July, 313 patients were admitted to the hospital, 34 of whom were Rohingya, with two Rohingya patients succumbing to the disease. By August, the number of admissions soared to 999, with 80 of them being Rohingya. During this month, two Rohingya women died due to dengue, marking a more than threefold increase in cases within a month.
Medical professionals have expressed concern that the dengue outbreak has intensified since August, a time typically associated with an uptick in dengue cases. The situation has been exacerbated by improper waste management in the 12 wards of Cox’s Bazar following the fall of the local government in early August. Stagnant water from blocked drains and the continued monsoon rains have created perfect breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus.
Data from the Cox’s Bazar Civil Surgeon’s office underscores the rapid increase in dengue cases. In June, the district recorded 334 cases, with 55 from the local population and 279 from the Rohingya community. By July, the number surged to 965, with locals accounting for 485 and Rohingya for 480. In August, the figure rose dramatically to 4,247 cases, with 1,448 being local residents and 2,799 Rohingya refugees. Over the past three months, five Rohingya individuals have died from the disease.
The Civil Surgeon’s office has also noted a 1.5% increase in dengue infection rates in September. Dr. Asif Ahmad Hawlader, the Civil Surgeon of Cox’s Bazar, stated that all efforts are being made to combat the dengue outbreak, with ongoing initiatives to address the situation promptly.
As of Wednesday evening, hospital reports indicated that over 700 patients were admitted across 15 wards, including the emergency department, while approximately 1,500 people were treated as outpatients. Currently, 68 patients are admitted to the hospital’s dengue ward, including 10 children and 32 women. Most of the cases have been reported from densely populated areas such as Pahartali, Adarshagram, Kolatoli, Larpara, Ghonapara, and Baidghona.
The dengue situation in Cox’s Bazar remains critical, with the hospital struggling to manage the increasing number of patients, particularly those from Rohingya refugee camps. Further steps are urgently needed to prevent the situation from worsening.
