At the Kyay Tone displacement camp, located along the border between Shan and Karenni states, illnesses among displaced people, particularly children under 10 years old and elderly residents, have become increasingly common during this May rainy season.

“As the rainy season began, many people started getting sick, even up until now. It’s similar to malaria symptoms. People experience dizziness, headaches, and sneezing, and children are the ones most affected,” said U Yar No, a member of the camp committee.

According to displaced residents, in addition to illness, elderly IDPs are also suffering from chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, but many cannot afford medical treatment costs.

“Children under 10 and elderly people are the most affected. There are many cases, and people cannot afford medicine. In many cases, households have to buy and share medicine among each other,” said a displaced woman at the camp.

Camp committee members also said that concerns among residents are rising after a patient suspected of having dengue fever died on May 17.

The deceased was a 40-year-old man living in the Kyay Tone IDP camp. According to residents, he died on the way to the hospital after coughing up blood.

“When it comes to dengue fever, yes, it can be fatal. For example, unusual symptoms like coughing up blood or vomiting coffee-colored blood can be fatal,” a nurse explained.

The Kyay Tone displacement camp, which is home primarily to people who were displaced from the Li Wo village areas, has over 200 households and a population of more than 2,000 people.