Dengue fears loom large among Arakan IDPs in rainy season

By Admin 22 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
22 June 2024, Sittwe

Internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State are worried about susceptibility to dengue fever due to lack of safe shelter, mosquito nets and latrines during the ongoing rainy season.

Many IDPs are currently suffering from colds and fevers, and they are concerned about the potential for dengue outbreaks under difficult living conditions.

“The mosquito nets are not adequate and the toilets are not complete, so the IDPs are suffering a lot. We don’t have access to healthcare like in previous years, so we are more worried about our health,” said an IDP man from the Ahtet Myethlel displacement camp in Ponnagyun Township.

The Ahtet Myethlel camp, home to more than 700 displaced people, had more than 20 cases of malaria in early June and is currently in need of food as well as mosquito nets.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that can kill and affects both young and old, regardless of gender. Knowing the conditions conducive to its spread make it important to reduce sources of standing water, particularly near homes, health experts say. 

But as a result of months of fighting between Myanmar’s military regime and the Arakkha Army (AA) in Arakan State, many IDPs find themselves facing dengue-conducive conditions beyond their control.  

“We can only pray that it will not rain. Mosquito bites are very dangerous for children’s health,” said an IDP woman.