Skin disease scabies spread in Sylhet
S A Shofiee, Sylhet :
A contagious disease called scabies has spread widely in Sylhet. Most of the patients who come to the outpatient departments of various hospitals for treatment are infected with scabies. The incidence of this disease is especially high among children.
Those concerned say that scabies has spread in different areas of Sylhet for the last two to three months. Currently, its incidence has increased and has become a cause for concern. Patients are not getting any benefit even after taking double doses of medicine.
Doctors say that densely populated areas, hot and humid environment and lack of cleanliness are among the main reasons behind the spread of this disease. Doctors have advised that if someone in the house has scabies, everything including clothes should be washed thoroughly with hot water and kept clean.
It was learned from talking to several family members in Sylhet city and various upazilas of the district that many people have been infected with scabies for the last two to three months. As time goes by, the rate of infection with this disease is increasing. Even after taking medicine after consulting a doctor, it is not under control. Many people are not getting any benefit even after taking double doses of medicine. If one person in the house is infected with scabies, all the members of that family are gradually getting infected.
Zahidul Haque, a resident of Shamimabad area of the city, said that first one child of the family was infected with scabies. Then one by one, the whole family is infected with this disease. Even after taking treatment in stages, there is no benefit.
Amir Hossain, a resident of Tilagarh area, said that everyone in the family is infected with this disease. Lotions and medicines are not of any use.
Faiz Ahmed, a resident of Sadar Sadar Union of Zakiganj Upazila, said that all four children of the family are infected with scabies. Since the recent flood water, the rest of the family members have also been infected with the same disease. Even after taking medicine, there is no cure.
Zakiganj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Abdul Ahad said that an average of 80 patients who came to the hospital for treatment in the last three months were infected with scabies. Even after giving double doses, the patients are not working.
He said that due to the increase in the number of such patients, there was a shortage of medicines in the hospital. However, the shortage has reduced later.
Golapanj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Sudarshan Sen said that people suffering from various skin diseases are coming for treatment every day. Most of them are suffering from scabies.
He said that there is also a shortage of medicines. Not all types of medicines for scabies are being given. There is a stock of ointments and tablets. Although there is a demand for lotion, it is not being supplied to patients.
Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Resident Medical Officer of Sylhet Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, said that scabies is not a new disease. It is very old and it is curable. If proper treatment is not taken, it can become an infection and then cause physical problems.
Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital Deputy Director Dr. Soumitra Chakraborty said, many of the patients who come to the hospital for treatment are affected by scabies. Usually, this contagious disease increases when the heat is high.
He also said, scabies disease is present throughout the year, it mainly depends on the hygiene of the person. Therefore, there is no alternative to self-cleaning. Scabies is completely curable. However, if not treated on time, it can spread on a large scale.