09 Jun 2016

Hukuntsi Sub District Chairperson ,Ms Gobatlhwamang Tlhage has indicated that there is currently out beak of scabies at Hunhukwe Rural Area Dwellers (RADs) hostel.

Speaking during the Hukuntsi District Council session in Hukuntsi on Tuesday, Ms Tlhage stated that  a total of 211 students from the current enrollment of 222 students have showed signs and symptoms of scabies.

“A total of 211 students have already showed  signs and symptoms of scabies include a skin rash composed of small red bumps and blisters that affects specific areas of the body. Other symptoms can include tiny red burrows on the skin and relentless itching. The itchy skin leads to frequent scratching, which may predispose the skin to secondary infections,” She said.

She said the state of the scabies infections symptoms varies per child, meanwhile both the Health officials and Hukuntsi Sub district council are working hand in hand on the mitigation measure to see best to remedy the outbreak.

She indicated that all affected children are under medication and their conditions is monitored on a daily basis by the hostel matron and caregivers alike.

Mitigation measures she added that will not only be focused on the current state but will rather be pro-active in future instances and more efforts will be channeled on general hygiene and cleanliness of hostel conditions.

Futhermore, Ms Tlhage cautioned of a diarrhea outbreak in Kgalagadi North, highlighting that 56 new cases of acute diarrhea were registered among under 5 years old babies between May 15-19, 2016.  She said the out break is rapid in villages of Kang, Hukuntsi, Lokgwabe and  Maake settlement.  

She noted that the District Health Management rapid response team is ongoing with assessments and health education and up scaling of high impact interventions is also ongoing to control the situation.

In an effort to establish the cause of the outbreak, Ms Tlhage said water samples from Maake and Lokgwabe were collected and tested but however passed the analysis test. ENDS