Sources from Cox’s Bazar Civil Surgeon’s office said that since 2017, diphtheria was detected in Rohingya children staying in Cox’s Bazar, where 409 Rohingya including four Bangladeshi were detected diphtheria in them. Among them, 53 diphtheria affected Rohingya died ranging age from 5 to 15 years of age.
Doctors say, this disease is highly contagious. Contact with an infected child can quickly spread the infection to others. It spread through coughing and sneezing.
In eight months till August this year, 37 people were diagnosed with diphtheria. Among them 4 Bangladeshis and 33 Rohingya children. One died. In 2021, one in 30 people diagnosed died. 19 people were identified in 2020. In 2019, 31 people were identified. 3 people died. 226 people were identified in 2018. 14 people died. In 2017, 66 people were identified. 30 of them died.
Cox’s Bazar Civil Surgeon Office disease controller Dr, Fahim Ahmed Faisal told the media, “Rohingya children in Cox’s Bazar are suffering from diphtheria disease every year. Among the vaccinations given to children in our country within 14-15 months of birth is diphtheria vaccination. This is why Bangladesh does not have this disease. However, Rohingya children are not properly vaccinated in Myanmar. Hence, since coming to Bangladesh, their body is getting this disease. Among the 37 people identified in the last eight months, there are four Bangladeshi children.
Associate Professor of Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (BITID) Hospital Mamunur Rashid said, ‘Diphtheria is a very dangerous disease. In the last year and a half, 9 Rohingya children have been admitted to the hospital for treatment with symptoms of this disease. These children were transferred from Teknaf to this hospital. Among them, two children died but the rest were recovered. The 9 children admitted were aged of between 5 and 9 years.”
He said that the symptoms of this disease include fever, sore throat, cough and severe breathing problems in severe cases. This disease blocks the airways. For this there is a risk of death.
In response to the ‘Why are Rohingya children suffering from diphtheria?” Mamunur Rashid said, “Diphtheria vaccine is among the ten that are officially given to children in our country after birth. Because of this, children of our country are not affected by this disease. However, Rohingya children did not receive this vaccine in Myanmar. Their children are at risk of contracting the disease as they are not covered by vaccination.”
He also said, ‘This disease is highly contagious. If another child comes in contact with an infected person, he is also at risk of getting infected.”
Cox’s Bazar Rohingya Camp Chief Health Coordinator Dr. Abu Toha Bhuiya said, “Rohingya children were excluded from vaccination coverage in their home countries. Now they are also being given all kinds of vaccinations. We are trying to bring the diphtheria disease to zero among Rohingya children as well.”
He further said, ‘We separate the affected child from the family. That is, kept in isolation. Those who came in contact with the child were also given necessary treatment in addition to isolation. Because this disease is contagious. Others who come in contact with this child are also at risk of contracting the disease.”
The government is providing vaccines for 10 essential diseases i.e. Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Dhunstungar, Whooping Cough, Polio, Hepatitis B, CPV, Haemophilus Influenza, SR. BCG and polio vaccine can be given within the first 14 days of birth. Then the rest of the vaccinations start at 6 weeks or 42 days of age. After that, the vaccinations should be completed five times in 15-16 months.
