According to residents, skin rashes are widespread in some villages and refugee camps in the eastern part of Demoso Township, Karenni State.
A 35-year-old woman from a village in the eastern part of Demoso township told the Kantarawaddy Times that almost the entire village was infected with the rash in August 2024. Apparently, the condition improves slightly before the disease breaks out again.
The woman said, “I don’t think there is anyone in the village who is not affected. It has affected everyone, including children, teenagers and adults. It itches very badly and gets worse when you scratch. It causes sores. People are afraid to visit the homes of some elderly people and children who are severely affected. We have tried using medicines and avoiding certain foods. We have also tried using natural remedies, such as baths with herbal leaves and warm water. It doesn’t get much better; there seems to be a slight improvement before it comes back.”
Some children had to miss school because they were so badly affected by the rash.
A member of Nway Oo Guru, an organization that provides health care and education, explained that they are struggling to obtain enough medical supplies to treat the rash, so they cannot offer full courses of treatment. When patients are given medicines and ointments, the rash only disappears temporarily and returns once the medication is stopped.
They said: “It is probably due to unclean water and clothes not drying properly during the rainy season. The main reason seems to be that people find it difficult to maintain hygiene. Even if they take medicine, the symptoms only improve during the period of taking it and once it runs out, the rash comes back. We cannot provide enough medicine and when it runs out, we cannot come back with more immediately because we do not have enough supplies.”
Similarly, in Ponchaung No. 4 displaced persons (IDP) camp in Demoso township, half of all children have been suffering from skin rashes for several months, and the situation shows no signs of improvement.
