Residents in Terego district are struggling to contain an outbreak of suspected Chickenpox disease.
The most affected areas are Akua, Fokovu, Komendaku, Naa, and Ondojani cells in Aaa Ward, Leju Town Council. According to the residents, the illness that mostly affects children and adults started last month and has caused untold suffering.
Robert Dramani, the Village Health Team (VHT) of Fokovu cell in Aaa Ward, Leju Town council discloses that over seven households in his cell have so far been affected by the disease. Dramani says the disease which leaves a blister-like rash on the skin most affects children.
Meanwhile, Stanley Yiki, a resident of the Aaa ward, told URN that two of his children have been infected after contracting the disease from the neighborhood while playing. He initially ignored the signs mistaking it for malaria or a common cold since an infected child presents with fever.
Oresto Butele, an elder in Fokovu cell in Aaa Ward, Leju Town council says that several affected families have resorted to using local herbs such as eucalyptus and orange leaves to manage the illness since most of them lack proper knowledge about the skin disease which was last reported in the area more than three decades ago.
Chickenpox is highly contagious to people who haven’t had the disease or been vaccinated against it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if one person has it, up to 90 percent of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected.
Simon Amandi Ongua, the Acting District Health Officer says that he has instructed the health assistant for Leju Town Council to list the affected households for intervention.
Most of the victims presented with loss of appetite, muscle, and joint aches, cough or running nose, and itchy rashes on their face and body with spots and fluid-discharging blisters, which take a week to heal with proper medication.
URN.