Unknown Disease Spreads on Western Burma Border

Maungdaw:
An unknown disease has broken out and is spreading on the western Burma border, affecting many people in the area, according to local journal and residents.

A weekly eleven journal published a story related to the disease last week and referred to the illness as "Chikan Gannya", but no one knows what the disease actually is.


A housemaid from Maungdaw told Narinjara over the phone that a group of physicians from the Maungdaw general hospital visited many houses recently to investigate the disease, but she had no further details about the illness.

Narinjara called the Maungdaw hospital to inquire about the disease but the physician on the phone refused to reveal any information, saying, "A senior doctor is not in the hospital now. If you want to know of the disease, come to the hospital to ask."

According to a local source, the disease first causes a high fever, and the patient then becomes ill and his body bruised as though he was beaten by sticks. The victim can't walk and his face and legs become swollen.

A local doctor told Narinjara on the condition of anonymity that the disease is related to the flu but seems to be transmitted by mosquitoes, but he could offer no further detail.

Many people in several wards and villages in Maungdaw have fallen ill with the disease, but are unable to receive treatment at the government hospital in Maungdaw.

A daughter of one victim reported seeking treatment at a private clinic and being given some tablets and insecticides, but nothing else.

Narinjara