Abstract
Bangladesh experienced a sudden, large influx of forcibly displaced persons from Myanmar in August 2017. A cholera outbreak occurred in the displaced population during September-December 2019. This study aims to describe the epidemiologic characteristics of cholera patients who were hospitalized in diarrhea treatment centers (DTCs) and sought care from settlements of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) as well as host country nationals during the cholera outbreak. Diarrhea Treatment Center (DTC) based surveillance was carried out among the FDMN and host population in Teknaf and Leda DTCs hospitalized for cholera during September-December 2019. During the study period, 147 individuals with cholera were hospitalized. The majority, 72% of patients reported to Leda DTC. Nearly 65% sought care from FDMN settlements. About 47% of the cholera individuals were children less than 5 years old and 42% were aged 15 years and more. Half of the cholera patients were females. FDMN often reported from Camp # 26 (45%), followed by Camp # 24 (36%), and Camp # 27 (12%). Eighty-two percent of the cholera patients reported watery diarrhea. Some or severe dehydration was observed in 65% of cholera individuals. Eighty-one percent of people with cholera received pre-packaged ORS at home. About 88% of FDMN cholera patients reported consumption of public tap water. Pit latrine without water seal was often used by FDMN cholera individuals (78%). Vigilance for cholera patients by routine surveillance, preparedness, and response readiness for surges and oral cholera vaccination campaigns can alleviate the threats of cholera.
Highlights
In August 2017, Bangladesh witnessed a sudden influx of an estimated over 700,000 Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) including large number of children within shortest possible time from neighboring Rakhine state in Myanmar who settled in the Cox’s Bazar district situated in the south-east of the country [1,2,3,4]
Diarrhea Treatment Center (DTC) based surveillance was carried out among the FDMN and host population in Teknaf and Leda diarrhea treatment centers (DTCs) hospitalized for cholera during SeptemberDecember 2019
The majority, 72% of patients reported to Leda DTC
Summary
In August 2017, Bangladesh witnessed a sudden influx of an estimated over 700,000 Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) including large number of children within shortest possible time from neighboring Rakhine state in Myanmar who settled in the Cox’s Bazar district situated in the south-east of the country [1,2,3,4]. Because of the arrival of a large number of displaced populations and the presence of insufficient lifesaving infrastructures of sanitation, like latrines and waterpoints, the environment soon became a breeding place for waterborne diseases including acute watery diarrhea, cholera, and shigellosis [2,3,5]. These risks were further heightened by high population density in camps and an excess number of severely malnourished children who often yield more quickly to preventable and treatable diseases as well as outbreaks of acute watery diarrhea (AWD), cholera, and shigellosis [2,3,4,6]. This study aims to describe the epidemiologic characteristics of cholera patients who were hospitalized in diarrhea treatment centers (DTCs) and sought care from settlements of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) as well as host country nationals during the cholera outbreak
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