Limpopo pupils hit by bilharzia outbreak the toilets

About 150 pupils were reportedly affected by the bilharzia outbreak that engulfed a school in Tzaneen, Limpopo.

- Masoka Dube

Pupils from Malwandla Primary School in Petanenge informal settlement near Nkowankowa received medical attention after they displayed bilharzia-related symptoms.

Bilharzia is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms and affects the urinary tract and the intestines. Its symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, bloody stools or urine mixed with blood.

The disease spreads through contaminated water, which means using such unfiltered water can lead to contracting the disease.

Malwandla school governing body chair Amanda Mondlane has confirmed that the school recorded 142 bilharzia cases.

"On 7 August, I received a call from the curriculum head informing me that 67 children tested positive for bilharzia," she said.