Snl24 | Disease outbreak causes panic in school

A bilharzia outbreak has affected 142 pupils at Malwandla Primary School in Limpopo.

PARENTS in Petanenge Village outside Tzaneen, Limpopo, are living in fear following a bilharzia outbreak at local schools.

The outbreak has affected more than 140 pupils at Malwandla Primary School, who tested positive for the disease after parents and teachers suspected pupils might be infected.

Bilharzia is an infection caused by a parasitic worm that lives in fresh water in subtropical and tropical regions.

Parents are now up in arms, not knowing what to do to deal with the situation.

“We’re scared and don’t know what to do as this has affected almost the whole school. We also don’t know what caused this,” said Gloria Malatji (38).

Others have called on the health department to move with speed to contain the outbreak.

“This needs to be treated with urgency so that we don’t lose our kids. An investigation should be done to determine the origin of the outbreak because our kids can’t continue going to school in this situation,” said Petrus Molewa (40).

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Limpopo health department spokesman Neil Shikwambana said they have sent a team of healthcare professionals on Wednesday, 28 August, to administer bilharzia treatment to 142 pupils at the school.

“We dispatched a team of healthcare professionals to treat pupils who tested positive for bilharzia after we sent a mobile clinic last week to conduct tests,” Shikwambane said.

He said the dispatched team will provide immediate medical care and treatment to affected pupils, and all pupils who test positive will receive appropriate medication to treat the infection.

“Given that bilharzia is often transmitted through contact with contaminated water, the department is working closely with the water service authority in the area to assess and improve water quality in affected areas.

“Measures will be put in place to ensure all water sources used by the school and the surrounding village are safe and free from contamination,” he said.

Parents, guardians, and villagers are urged to support these interventions by ensuring that kids avoid swimming or playing in potentially contaminated water and ensuring they take kids who are suspected of contracting the disease to the nearest health facility.

Education department spokeswoman Mosebjane Kgaffe said the health department has taken control of the situation, and the outbreak has not affected learning and teaching. 

Bilharzia, also known as schistosomiasis, is caused by parasitic worms and can present a range of symptoms depending on the stage of the infection. Here are the common symptoms:Acute Stage (within days to weeks of infection):
1. Rash or Itchy Skin: Often occurs where the parasite entered the body.
2. Fever: A common early symptom.
3. Chills: Accompanying fever.
4. Cough: Due to the parasite’s migration through the body.
5. Muscle Aches: General discomfort and pain.
6. Diarrhoea: Sometimes with blood.
7. Abdominal Pain: Due to the parasite’s presence in the intestines or liver.  

Source: Prosus AI 

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