Hyderabad:Nearly 50 students at the PTG Social Welfare Residential School in Mannanur, Nagarkurnool, have been affected with skin infections like ringworm and scabies, according to health officials. However, the school stated that the number was only 27.
Students developed rashes on their hands, stomachs and fingers. In 14 cases, small bumps appeared on private parts. District medical officer Dr Goutham P., who personally treated the students, said, “Most of the cases were scabies. We administered antibiotics, chloroxylenol and benzoic acid and injections, including TT.” He added that their condition was improving and a follow-up health check would be conducted next week.
Principal Govardhan I. acknowledged that poor sanitation facilities were also adding to the situation. “There are only nine washrooms for over 500 students, and even those are not in good condition. Many children have no choice but to use open areas, which is one of the reasons for these infections,” he said. He also suspects that some of the students who returned from Dasara holidays contracted the infection to others.
The incident raised eyebrows after initial reports that over 400 students from the school were affected. Women and child welfare department had stated that the actual number was far lower.
