GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Environmental health practitioners (EHP) from the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) are working around the clock to address the scabies outbreak in the George and Oudtshoorn area, according to a media statement issued on 22 November.
GRDM communications officer Marillia Veldkornet said when GRDM was notified on 15 November of confirmed scabies cases in the George area, health practitioners from Wilderness did an awareness campaign among schools and clinics about scabies.
Disinfectants and pamphlets were also distributed.
The awareness campaign continued to the Kuyasa Clinic located in Thembalethu (Zone 9) where 105 patients were addressed and Thembalethu High School where the staff were given health education, pamphlets and disinfectants for distribution to the learners.
The campaign concluded at Mzoxolo Primary School located in Lawaaikamp (George).
More awareness campaigns will be conducted in the coming days at early childhood development (ECD) facilities, nursing homes and to the Greater Oudtshoorn community, with the aim to curb the spread of scabies in the area.
On 7 November Saturnus Primary School in Toekomsrus, Oudtshoorn, was visited where 25 learners had complained of itching and skin rashes.
"Nurses from the clinic were contacted to assess the learners’ symptoms and skin conditions. The team concluded that the skin condition was caused by scabies. The school also informed the school circuit manager of the Department of Basic Education about the situation," said Veldkornet.
On Wednesday 9 November the number of students affected at the school increased to 201. By Friday 11 November the outbreak of scabies had spread to three more schools and by 14 November seven schools in Oudtshoorn, three in Dysselsdorp and one in De Rust were affected.
One school in the rural area also sent five learners to the Oudtshoorn clinic. By the end of 14 November a total of 263 children and one adult were treated for scabies at clinics in Oudtshoorn and Dysselsdorp respectively.
"The total of learners that contracted scabies is currently still rising," said Veldkornet.
The school health nurse, local clinic operational manager and an EHP provided health education to learners, educators and parents of the learners from affected schools. The following topics were covered: the definition and identification of Scabies, symptoms, treatment, preventative measures, correct hand washing, hand hygiene and isolation of affected learners until treatment is completed.
"The clinics had to re-fill their stock, as children were sent to clinics where they received medication and cream to apply at night. Learners returned to school after five days. A database is used to monitor children returning to school," she said.
"The GRDM Municipal Health Services will continue with their health education about scabies through the municipality’s various platforms and by visiting schools. They will create awareness about the disease and the precautions that must be taken to prevent further spread."
Report cases of scabies to the following GRDM Municipal Health Offices:
Head Office
Johan Compion – Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: 044 803 1300
Klein Karoo and Kannaland Region
Desmond Paulse – Chief: Municipal Health (Klein Karoo)
Tel: 044 272 2241 / Cell: 083 678 6530
Address: 94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn
Mossel Bay
Sam Bendle – Chief: Municipal Health (Mossel Bay),
Tel: 044 693 0006 /Cell: 083 630 6108
Address C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay.
George Outeniqua
Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health (Outeniqua)
Tel: 044 803 1501 / Cell: 078 457 2824
Address: Mission Street, Industrial Area, George, 6530
George Wilderness
Jessica Erasmus – Acting Chief: Wilderness (George)
Tel: 044 803 1501 / Cell: 081 346 3118
Address: Mission Street, Industrial Area, George
Knysna Region
James McCarthy – Chief: Knysna
Tel: 044 382 7214 / Cell: 082 805 9417
Address: 26A Queen Street, Knysna
Bitou Region
Gawie Vos – Chief: Lakes (Bitou)
Tel: 044 501 1600 / Cell: 083 557 1522
Address: 7 Gibb Street, Plettenberg Bay
Hessequa Region
Haemish Herwels – Chief: Hessequa
Tel: 028 713 2438 / Cell: 083 678 6545
Address: 23 Michell Street, Riversdale, 6670
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