Gauteng health dept confirms no disease outbreak in Pretoria North, calls for calm
The health department said it investigated claims of a myiasis outbreak and found no evidence to support the claims. It added that reports of a staphylococcus infection outbreak in Pretoria North were also false.
Picture: 123rf.com/Iurii Golub
JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Health in Gauteng is calling for calm after it confirmed there was no disease outbreak in Pretoria North.
It said that five patients with suspected myiasis infections were examined at Odi District Hospital in Tshwane over the weekend.
But after further testing, two were found to have unrelated abscesses while the other three were discharged.
The health department said it investigated claims of a myiasis outbreak and found no evidence to support the claims.
It added that reports of a staphylococcus infection outbreak in Pretoria North were also false.
Myiasis develops when flies lay eggs on damp clothing, bedding or unsanitary surfaces and cannot spread from one person to another.
Once the eggs hatch, the maggots dig into the human skin, causing swelling, irritation and boil-like lesions.
Gauteng health department spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, said there was no cause for panic.
"The department, through our public health directorate and Tshwane district health services, we have investigated these claims and found no evidence of a widespread outbreak."
He added that safety measures to prevent myiasis included ironing clothes before wearing them, maintaining proper hygiene, ensuring pets were treated for fly infestations and avoiding drying clothes on the ground.