Johannah Malogadihlare
THE Limpopo Department of Health said that a team of healthcare professionals have been deployed to administer Bilharzia treatment to 142 learners at Malwandla Primary School on Wednesday.
Department Spokesperson Neil Shikwambana said last week the department sent a mobile clinic team to conduct tests after parents and teachers suspected that learners at the school might be having the condition.
“The dispatched team will provide immediate medical care and treatment to the affected learners. All learners who test positive will receive appropriate anti-schistosomal medication to treat the infection,” said Shikwambana.
Bilharzia may have been caused by contaminated water since the school uses water from boreholes.
Symptoms of Bilharzia include abdominal pains, diarrhoea, urine mixed with blood or blood stools.
The department is working closely with water service authority in the area to assess and improve water quality in the affected areas.
However, the department said that measures will be put in place to ensure that all water sources used by the school and the surrounding community are safe and free from contamination.
The community has been warned to temporarily distance itself from the local rivers as the water may not be safe.
Parents are also urged to seek medical attention at their nearest health facilities once they notice symptoms of Bilharzia in their children.
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