Cases of pneumonia and fever have been rising in Maungdaw South since colder weather arrived on 1 January, according to Mohin a Rohingya from the area.
He said that most of the affected people are elderly villagers and children under the age of five.
Two women, Ms Nur Jahan (60), wife of Abu Shama and Ms Naswa Khatun (55), wife of Motiur Rahman, diedon 2 January in Khonzabill village in Aley Than Kyaw Village Tract, Maungdaw after catching pneumonia and suffering from a cough and fever, according to one of their relatives.
He said that Nur Jahanhad came down with a cough and fever when the weather became very cold on 1 January and by 2 January she was dead.
Abdu Jalil (50), Sayedur Rhaman (75), Ziaur Rahaman (45), and Salamat (40) of Khonzabill Village have also been suffering from fever. They were taken to of Aley Than Kyaw Hospital, but they did not receive proper treatment and were only given some tablets and sent back home the same day according to a staff member at the hospital who did not want to be identified.
He also said that at present many people in the area, including women and children, are suffering from pneumonia, fevers and coughs.
An elder from the area who did not give his name said that the government has not been taking any action against the spread of pneumonia.
Edited in English by Mark inkey for BNI