The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Tribals scratch, officials watch

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Tribals scratch, officials watch

K. Venkateshwarlu

NO SOLUTION: A tribal showing his scratch marks

HYDERABAD: After enduring combing operations by the police that cut into their daily income, it is virtually a scratching time for Chenchus, the Australoid primitive hill tribes of Srisailam and surrounding areas with scabies spreading faster than wildfire.

A majority of the 40,000 odd Chenchus spread over four districts are now in the grip of this disease with number of their habitations "gudems" reporting the disease that is marked by persistent itching. Highly infectious, none of the households seemed to be spared.

"It is a miserable sight. Adults and children alike keep scratching, wounding the red pimple-like blotches all over their bodies. With poor sanitary conditions and personal hygiene marking most of the "gudems," it is spreading fast," says M. Sambasiva Rao of Banjara Development Society that works among Chenchus.

Adding to the problem, Chenchus have lost faith in lotions and medicines supplied by the primary health centres, as they are either of poor quality or have crossed expiry dates.

"Unless the Government rushes motivators and special medical teams it could reach epidemic proportions," he warns. All it requires is educating the tribals on hygiene and supply of scabex and tetmosol soaps, which he and his team of volunteers have been doing.

With the disease hitting them hard, most of the Chenchus are unable to go into forest to collect forest produce, their main source of income, while their wards have been bunking classes. Wherever Mr. Rao and volunteers have gone, it is the same story.

A majority of Chenchu population is down by scabies in gudems like Rollapenta, Pothannachenchugudem, Korraprolu, Chintala, Chencchukunta, Ayyannakunta and Pothannakunta.

It starts from one member of the family and spreads to others and then to other "gudems".

How it occurs

Quoting doctors, Mr. Rao says scabies, an infestation of the skin caused by a microscopic mite, spreads rapidly under crowded conditions where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact.

It could also occur by sharing clothes, towels and bedding. Chenchus are also vulnerable to attack by a more severe form of scabies as their immune systems are weak.

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