86 snakebite cases reported in 7 days as floodwaters rise in Ctg; waterborne diseases on the rise
Chattogram health officials noted that a crisis of safe drinking water and sanitation during floods rapidly accelerates the risk of diarrhoea and other waterborne illnesses
Snake infestation has escalated across various upazilas in Chattogram due to floods triggered by continuous heavy rainfall, with at least 86 people bitten in flood-affected areas over the last seven days.
Among the victims, two individuals bitten by venomous snakes are currently undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH), according to sources at Chattogram Civil Surgeon's Office.
Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam told The Business Standard, "The displacement of snakes from their natural habitats due to floodwaters has led to an increased presence of the reptiles in residential areas and households, resulting in a spike in snakebite incidents.
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"So far, 86 snakebite patients have been identified. Among them, two were bitten by venomous snakes. Both are residents of Boalkhali Upazila. After receiving primary treatment and anti-snake venom at the Upazila Health Complex, they were transferred to CMCH."
"They are currently under medical care and out of danger," he assured.
According to data from the district Civil Surgeon's Office, the highest number of snakebite cases was recorded in Boalkhali with 20 patients, followed by 18 in Patiya, 12 in Banshkhali, nine in Raozan, eight in Hathazari, six in Satkania, five in Anwara, three each in Rangunia and Chandanaish, and two in Lohagara.
According to the Divisional Director's (Health) office, adequate preparations have been made to treat snakebite patients during the flood situation.
A total of 1,100 vials of anti-venom are in stock, including 800 vials across 15 upazila health complexes and 300 vials at the Civil Surgeon's Office.
Advising residents in flood-affected areas of caution, the health director's office urged people to use torchlights when moving at night, test the ground with a stick before stepping into water, and keep households clean.
Victims have been strongly advised to rush to a nearby hospital immediately without delaying or resorting to superficial traditional practices.
Waterborne diseases spike
Alongside the flooding woes, the risk of waterborne diseases is rising in Chattogram. At least 102 people suffering from diarrhoea received treatment at various upazila health complexes over the past seven days across 15 flood-hit upazilas.
Children account for approximately 70% of these cases, according to the Civil Surgeon's Office, though officials suspect additional unrecorded cases may exist outside this count.
Health officials noted that a crisis of safe drinking water and sanitation during floods rapidly accelerates the risk of diarrhoea and other waterborne illnesses.
Data shows that within the last 24 hours, four new diarrhoea cases were identified in the flood-affected Banshkhali Upazila and six in Satkania Upazila.
To address the situation, emergency preparations have been mobilised.
A total of 2,03,400 packets of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) are currently stocked across health complexes in the district. This includes a reserve of 5,000 packets in Satkania and 15,000 packets in Banshkhali, which are among the most vulnerable flood-hit areas.
The Civil Surgeon's Office added that mobile medical teams are actively providing healthcare services in flood-affected regions, with heightened surveillance on waterborne illnesses, skin diseases, and eye infections.
Officials warned that contamination from floodwaters, unsafe drinking water, and contaminated food increases diarrhoea risks among children. They advised drinking safe water, keeping food covered, and administering ORS immediately if symptoms appear.
"We have an adequate stock of necessary medicines and medical supplies to handle the flood situation. Emergency medicines, including anti-venom, water purification tablets, cholera saline, and ORS, are being regularly supplied to every upazila," Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam said.
"We are also securing supplies from the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD) in Dhaka as required, and we have been assured of a steady supply. Just yesterday (12 July), 300 vials of anti-venom and 400 dengue kits were brought from Dhaka.
"Medicines are also being dispatched from the district medical store to various upazilas based on local demand," he added.
