INTRODUCTION:
Scabies is a cutaneous skin infection that is caused by a mite known as the Sarcoptes scabiei. This mite lives on the skin for months where it lays eggs in the skin and reproduces. It then causes an itchy red rash on the skin.
This mite is prone to biting the following areas of the skin;
- Head, face, neck.
- Hands, wrist, elbow, area between fingers.
- Legs, soles of the feet.
- The entire body upon severe infestation.
The organism is highly infectious thus anyone can acquire this infection ranging from babies and toddlers, immunocompromised, adults and the elderly.
Transmission:
The infestation of scabies is transmitted through;
- Prolonged and direct skin to skin contact such as hand shaking, etc.
- Intimate personal contact i.e. hugging.
- Sharing personal effects such as bedding, clothing i.e. towels with someone who has a scabies infection.
- Contact accounts for many cases in crowded areas such as school, hospitals, and homesteads.
Poor hygiene and crowding i.e. in homeless shelters can also cause this infection.
Focus:
With the generous assistance received from Lady Fatemah Charitable Trust, Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya in conjunction with Jaffery Medical conducted a scabies treatment camp for the residents of Al-Husseiniyya Centre, Bahakanda on 06th October 2020.
This program was held during the week of commemorating Lady Zainab (A.S).
There was a large turnout of people from the centre for the scabies treatment. All those who attended the program were also given deworming medication.
In order to curb the spread, we also distributed anti- bacterial soaps to family members for usage until recovery, so as to reduce sharing which highly transmits the infection. During this program, Mu’mineen were also advised on hygienic measures necessary to be taken, such as avoiding close contact with infected persons, avoiding over-crowded places and sharing personal effects.
The Mission appreciates the generous support and assistance it has received from the Lady Fatemah Charitable Trust and looks forward to your continued support in all our activities in the future.
The Mission also thanks all those involved in this program.
Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya
P.O Box 82508 -80100
Tel: +254 222 9641
Email: admin@kenbilal.org
Web: www.kenbilal.org
Compiled by: Saida Mueni
October 2020.