Fredrick Byenume, the Hoima District Health Inspector, says they realised a huge number of people are infected during a community surveillance exercise they conducted last week.
The number of people infested by scabies in
Hoima district has reached 1500.
Fredrick Byenume, the
Hoima District Health Inspector, says they realised a huge number of people are
infected during a community surveillance exercise they conducted last week.
The most affected people are in Kyabigambire,
Buseruka, Kitoba, Buraru and Kigorobya sub counties.
//Cue in: ”At the moment…
Cue out:…Bikumi bibiri byokya.”//
Scabies is caused by the parasitic Sarcoptes scabiei mite, which quickly
spreads from person to person, especially those in crowded living conditions or
with a lack of access to clean water.
The mites cause a
pimple-like rash that is severely itchy, and occasionally, tiny burrows may be
seen in the skin.
Byenume says they are puzzled by the increasing number
of people infested by the disease, adding that they have alerted the Health Ministry.
He says health authorities in the district are doing all they can to ensure
that the disease is contained.
//Cue in: ”And the unfortunate…
Cue out:…Baingi murundi gumu.”//
John Adrapi a resident of Kyabigambire Sub County says the situation could
escalate unless something is done to contain the situation.
Jackline Kyalisiima,
a resident of Buraru Sub County says three of her children have been infested
and fears that the disease could spread to the remaining two children since she
hasn’t received any help.
In March this year,
scabies devastated Abangi, Onin, Bisaju and Ogadra villages in Budongo Sub
County in Masindi district.
The most affected were pupils of Kasenene primary
school. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), scabies affect
more than 130 million people at any time.
However, children and
the elderly in resource-poor communities are the most susceptible to scabies as
well as to secondary complications of infestation.
The highest rates occur in
countries with hot, tropical climates, where infestation is endemic, especially
in communities where overcrowding and poverty coexist.
