Diarrhoea cases emerge across Chattogram after floods, over 200 hospitalised

Infographic: TBS

Post-flood diarrhoea: Key numbers

• 206 patients admitted in 3 city hospitals, 14 upazila health complexes
• 96 patients treated at three city hospitals
• At least 30 Babul Colony residents seek diarrhoea treatment
• 17 Babul Colony patients remained hospitalised yesterday
• Unclean water tank likely source of Babul Colony infections
• 110 patients admitted across 14 upazila health complexes
• Around 30% of upazila patients are children
• Patiya records highest upazila caseload at 22

Seventy-five-year-old Abdul Matin died on the way to the hospital after developing diarrhoea symptoms at Babul Colony in Chandranagar Beltala under Chattogram city's Bayezid Bostami police station.

His death comes as 206 diarrhoea patients are currently admitted to three hospitals in Chattogram city and 14 upazila health complexes following recent flooding, according to hospital records and the Chattogram Civil Surgeon's Office.

At Babul Colony, local enquiries found that at least 30 residents, including children, women and elderly people, have developed diarrhoea and sought treatment at government and private hospitals. Many have since returned home, while some are receiving care at home. Chattogram City Corporation said 17 were in hospital yesterday (18 July).

A preliminary investigation by the city corporation's health department identified an unclean water tank at the colony as the likely source of the infections.

A medical team visited the area yesterday, spoke to affected residents and examined the water source.

"We have initially found evidence that the diarrhoea spread from the tank water," Chattogram City Corporation Chief Health Officer Mohammad Imam Hossain said.

He said dehydration was initially suspected as the cause of Matin's death.

Risk rises after floods

Chattogram Civil Surgeon Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the risk of diarrhoea, cholera and other waterborne diseases generally increases after floods as water sources can become contaminated and access to safe water may be disrupted.

He said the current situation remained under control and had not reached epidemic levels.

"Patients are receiving prompt treatment, and the health department has not recorded any confirmed death from diarrhoea," he said.

The health department has distributed 65,000 water purification tablets since the floods. Medical teams are also providing ORS, safe water and other healthcare services in affected areas, he added. 

Health officials advised people with diarrhoea to drink enough safe fluids, take ORS and rest. Anyone experiencing frequent loose stools, vomiting, weakness or signs of dehydration should seek hospital treatment promptly.

Patients across city and upazilas

At Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH), 38 children were being treated for diarrhoea in wards 8 and 9 of the paediatric department, while 27 adults were admitted to medicine wards 13, 14 and 16.

Chattogram General Hospital had 16 diarrhoea patients, including four children, while Maa-O-Shishu Hospital had 15, including three children.

Together, the three city hospitals were treating 96 patients, 45 of them children.

Another 110 patients were admitted to 14 upazila health complexes, around 30% of them children, according to the Civil Surgeon's Office.

Patiya had the highest number of patients at 22, followed by Fatikchhari with 15 and Anwara with 13.

Banshkhali and Boalkhali had nine patients each; Chandanaish, Lohagara and Mirsarai seven each; Hathazari and Sitakunda six each; Satkania five; Rangunia three; and Raozan one. Sandwip reported no patients.

Data were available from 14 of Chattogram's 15 upazila health complexes.

Patients report illness after floods

Patients from different parts of Chattogram told TBS that they developed diarrhoea and vomiting within days of floodwater entering their homes or remaining in their neighbourhoods.

Zahirul Islam, a Satkania resident admitted to Chattogram General Hospital, said water remained in his area for several days after the flooding.

"After that, many people started falling ill. I also developed diarrhoea and vomiting and had to be admitted to hospital. I am now taking ORS and medicine as advised by doctors," he said.

Mohammad Yusuf, 60, of Boalkhali, who was being treated in CMCH, said his home remained under water for four to five days.

"Two or three days after the water receded, I developed diarrhoea. My condition later worsened and I had to be admitted to hospital," he said.

At CMCH's paediatric ward 9, Lutful Nahar, 34, whose 18-month-old son Zahirul Alam was undergoing treatment, said their Banshkhali home was flooded, forcing the family to stay at a shelter for several days.

She said her son developed diarrhoea and vomiting after they returned home and began using tubewell water.

"We first sought treatment locally. When his condition did not improve, we had to bring him to Chattogram Medical College Hospital," she said.

She suspected the water may have been contaminated, although the cause has not been medically confirmed.