By Vostine Ratemo
Parents and education stakeholders are concerned after health officials in Kisumu warned of an outbreak of scabies infection among school children. Scabies is a skin disease infection caused by human itch mite.
According to the Kisumu Police Line Dispensary health officer Caroline Kituke, 12 cases have been reported in the county so far.
“Most of the children I have treated are learners from Nyalenda, Nyamasaria and Buoye. The skin disease could be spreading fast in schools,” Ms Kithuke warned.
At the same time, Aga Khan Hospital dermatologist Khadija Hassan said that the scabies outbreak is common among learners in boarding schools.
Scabies is a parasitic infestation caused by mites referred to Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis which manifests themselves in the human body, lay eggs, triggering an intense itch and rash. The wounds cause discomfort among the children.
The parents particularly from Kisumu County have asked the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to try and curb the disease which is a threat to many learners from the region.
