Diphtheria may be making a comeback in Bangladesh as at least 2,700 cases of patients suspected to be infected with the bacteria-borne disease have been reported at the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.
“So far, 2,700 diphtheria infected people have been identified; of them, 27 patients, including children, have already died,” Md Nikaruzzaman, upazila nirbahi officer of Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya upazila, where one of the refugee camps is located, told the Dhaka Tribune on Thursday.
In a report published on December 12, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the Rohingya refugees were at the risk of suffering from a possible outbreak of diphtheria.
Also Read - WHO fears deadly diphtheria outbreak among Rohingya refugees
A total of 250,607 Rohingyas have been administered with the diphtheria vaccinations at the camps.
Locals living around the camp areas have also been brought under diphtheria vaccinations. So far, 30,000 locals have been vaccinated.
According to WHO, diphtheria is a bacteria-borne illness, spread through direct physical contact or from breathing in the aerosolized secretions from coughs or sneezes of infected individuals.
The illness has an acute onset and the main characteristics are sore throat, low fever and swollen glands in the neck, and the toxin may, in severe cases, cause myocarditis or peripheral neuropathy, adds WHO.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
