Scabies outbreak hits Ntcheu

A scabies outbreak has hit some parts of Ntcheu, threatening to firther spread to other parts of the district.

Confirming the development, Ntcheu health promotion officer Stella Kawalala said over 80 cases have been reported so far from Matchereza and Kasinje catchment areas.

“So far, Matchereza  has recorded  58  cases  and  Kasinje  25  cases. However, the situation is under control because we  have  launched a mass  scabies treatment [campaign],” she said.

Kawalala said Ntcheu District Health Office has intensified community  education  on  prevention and assessment  of  the  affected  households.

“We are monitoring the situation and ensuring that all cases are treated so that we prevent the further spread of the skin disease,” she said.

Kawalala described the development as worrisome, but was quick to assure people in the district that the health office in collaboration with health surveillance assistants will contain the disease.

Scabies is a contagious, itchy skin condition that spreads through physical contact and occurs due to poor hygiene. Last year, the disease also hit some parts of the country like Lilongwe, Ntchisi and Machinga, among others