By Kantarawaddy Times
Children from both local communities and internally displaced families in Khow Pra (Kho Bway) and Sot Khut (Taung Ku) villages, located in the southeastern part of Pruso Township, Karenni State, have been suffering from a widespread outbreak of skin infections, according to an IDP who spoke with Kantarawaddy Times.
“The children are itching so badly that they can’t stop scratching, and the rashes just keep spreading. Some of them even end up with painful blisters filled with fluid. There are already so many cases in the villages,” an IDP told Kantarawaddy Times.
Although the precise number of affected children has not been determined, local residents indicate that the infections are spreading quickly and affecting many children.
Those suffering from the condition exhibit symptoms such as red rashes, persistent itching, pustules, and swelling. In some children, the wounds have become further infected, causing severe pain that they are unable to endure, according to reports.
“Sometimes when the children go to school, they scratch so much that the rashes burst and begin to ooze. We warn them not to scratch, but they are just children and cannot resist the itching. Some of them end up with infected wounds,” another IDP said.
The outbreak has now continued for almost two months. Because the villages are located in remote areas, residents have been unable to access proper medical care or sufficient medication. In addition, travel restrictions and difficult terrain have made it especially hard for both villagers and IDPs to reach hospitals or clinics for treatment.
Mobile health teams occasionally visit the villages to provide basic medical care. However, those whose symptoms do not improve are often forced to seek ointments and other medicines from the nearest clinics, despite the travel difficulties.
Khow Pra (Kho Bway) and Sot Khut (Taung Ku) villages are home to both local residents and displaced families, with roughly 60 households and an estimated population of 200.
