By Kantarawaddy Times — October 13, 2026
Mumps cases have broken out in Hpun Baw Khut Township, in western Hpruso Township, Karenni State, on top of ongoing itchy skin infections, the township health officer told Kantarawaddy Times.
The skin infections affect both children and adults every year and continue to spread, the health official said. About 50 cases were reported in September, and new cases are still being found
Mumps is now also spreading among school-age children. Up to 15 children have contracted it so far in October, according to the officer.
“Skin infections affect people of all ages, while mumps is more common among school-age children,” the township health officer said. “When the outbreak began, we provided health education at schools and asked infected children to stay home. We are now concerned because cases have been reported in boarding houses, where the disease could spread quickly.”
The skin infections keep spreading because of poor personal hygiene, limited access to medical treatment, and a lack of topical medicines, the officer said.
With both skin infections and mumps spreading, there is a need for more skin treatment medicines, the officer said. Older people are also commonly affected by itchy skin conditions and ringworm, which often appears as large patches on the body, the officer added.
The township clinic is facing shortages of medicine and also needs oxygen cylinders for emergency patients, the health officer said.
Meanwhile, in some schools in Hu Baw Township, in western Hpruso Township, more than 20 children under the age of 15 have contracted mumps.
