The number of
people infested by scabies in Hoima district has reached 2000.
The most
affected people are in Kyabigambire, Buseruka, Kitoba, Buraru,Kijongo and
Kigorobya sub counties.
Last week
health officials reported 1500 cases but following another community survey
conducted this week, it was found out that 500 more people had acquired the
disease.
Fredrick
Byenume, the Hoima district Health inspector says next week they will commence
mass treatment of people who are infested by the disease in order to contain it
from further spreading.
Byenume
cautioned people to protect themselves by maintaining good personal hygiene and
avoiding contact with a person who has scabies.
//Cue in: "Cases
of scabies…
Cue out:…and
other things.”//
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.
According to
Byenume, if not immediately controlled, the disease could spread through out
the district.
He says
currently they are waiting for medicine from the health ministry to commence
the mass treatment of the disease next week.
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.
