Residents of Kamwangi Division, Kiambu County, are living in fear over claims of an outbreak of scabies in the area. According to the nursing officer in charge of Kamwangi sub-county hospital Ms Lilian Murugi, approximately 20 cases have recently been reported at the health centre. Murugi said the most affected persons are children and the elderly in the community as per records in the health centre. A report given by Murugi revealed that several schools including Kamwangi Primary School, Kiriko Primary School and Gakoe Primary School are among the five schools that are affected by the disease. The nursing officer said that the cause of scabies is unhygienic environment and use of untreated water. Ms Rose Wanja an ECD teacher at Kamwangi Primary School said that the most affected pupils are those that are in lower classes. “In my class of 50 children at ECD level, all of them are affected and they scratch their bodies and fingers until they are unable to hold a pencil to write in class,” said Wanja. Ms Christine Mwende, a senior teacher at Kamwangi Primary School, said that the first cases were identified at the beginning of the year but teachers took it lightly. Mwende said they raised the alarm after they realised that it was spreading very fast. The senior teacher called on the relevant authorities to move with speed and address the issue before it runs out of hand. The Nursing officer at the health centre expressed concern over the failure by the county government to provide drugs in time to manage scabies. “With these many cases reported, it is a clear indication that it is running out of hand and it will be more challenging to manage,” said Ms Murugi They said now that the disease has spread across the division, there was need for urgent measures to be taken to contain the situation. “There is a need for sensitisation and education on matters concerning scabies and hygiene matters so as to contain the disease,” said Murugi.

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