Skin rashes have become endemic in some villages and refugee camps in the eastern part of Demoso Township, Karenni State, according to residents.
A 35-year-old woman from a village in the eastern part of Demoso Township told Kantarawaddy Times that nearly the entire village had contracted the skin rash in August 2024. Apparently the condition shows a minor improvement before flaring up again.
The woman said: “I don’t think there’s anyone in the village who hasn’t been affected. It has affected everyone, including children, youths, and adults. It itches a lot and gets worse after scratching. It causes wounds. People are afraid to visit the homes of some elderly people and children who have been seriously affected. We have tried applying medications and avoiding certain foods. We have also tried using natural remedies, such as bathing with herbal leaves and warm water. It doesn’t improve much; there seems to be minor improvement before it recurs.”
Some children had to miss school because they were so badly affected by the rash.
A member of Nway Oo Guru, an organisation that offers health care,education, explained that they are having difficulties accessing adequate medical supplies to treat the rash, so cannot provide full courses of treatment. When people receive medication and ointments the rash only goes away temporarily and returns as soon as the medication is stopped.
They said: “It is likely due to unclean water and the fact that clothes don’t dry properly during the rainy season. The main reason it seems to be happening is because it is hard for people to be hygienic. Even when they take medication the symptoms only improve only whilst the medication is being used and once it runs out the rash returns. We can’t provide enough medication and when it runs out we cannot immediately return with more because we don’t have sufficient supplies.”
Also, in the displaced person’s (IDP) camp, Ponchaung No. 4, in Demoso Township, half of all the children have been suffering from skin rashes for several months and the situation has shown no signs of improving.
