Bilharzia is probably the second worst parasitic disease in Uganda, after malaria – and we’ve just had a local outbreak.
Untreated, the disease can cause serious health conditions. It is caused by a parasitic worm that lives in dirty water, usually transmitted by freshwater snails.
Our health team was swift to notice the recent outbreak by spotting skin abnormalities in some of our children. They were immediately brought to the sick bay, where examinations by our nurse confirmed the cause to be Bilharzia. Praziquantel medication was administered and will be repeated in a few weeks’ time. The tablets are bitter, often causing diarrhoea and other body pain.
Although the children dislike taking them, the health team is determined to act quickly to avoid serious illness in our children.
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