A diarrhea outbreak has been reported among earthquake survivors taking shelter in displacement camps in the eastern part of Sagaing City, specifically in the Ywar Naing ward, according to local sources.
Although only around five cases have been confirmed so far, health officials are concerned about the risk of wider transmission due to overcrowded living conditions, said a local individual affiliated with a rescue team currently operating in Sagaing.
“We heard from community members that people are getting sick. Since I’m based in Mandalay, I haven’t seen it firsthand, but we’ve heard reports of not just diarrhea, but also insect bites and other health issues,” the source said.
In addition to diarrhea, other infectious diseases such as respiratory illnesses, skin infections, and mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever are also spreading in quake-affected areas, according to media reports.
As a result, there is an urgent need for rehydration salts and general medicine. The source urged donors to prioritize medical supplies in their relief efforts.
In the aftermath of the quake, the Military Junta’s Ministry of Health and Public Health Department has advised the public to drink boiled water, consume safe food, and seek emergency medical attention to prevent infections in wounds and avoid other communicable diseases.
Rescue organizations reported that search operations for missing persons are still ongoing in regions severely affected by the quake, including Mandalay, Sagaing, Naypyidaw, and Shan State. As of April 2, six days after the disaster, many remain unaccounted for.
A social rescue team member from Ye Township, who is currently on the ground, said several homes are still inaccessible for search operations, and many bodies remain trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings.
“At this point, there are very few survivors left. Most of what we’re retrieving now are dead bodies. As we near the one-week mark, it’s becoming harder to find anyone alive. Some corpses are buried deep under debris, making extraction extremely difficult,” the team member said.
The lack of modern rescue equipment has further hindered efforts, as many bodies are tightly wedged between collapsed concrete, iron, and roofing materials.
The devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which struck near Mandalay on March 28, has caused a rising death toll and growing numbers of missing persons.
As of 8 a.m. on April 4, official figures show 3,911 deaths, 4,589 injuries, and 221 people still missing. The Military Junta has declared a national mourning period from March 31 to April 6.
