Health authorities deny disease outbreaks in Gauteng

The Department of Health in Gauteng denied a suspected myiasis outbreak in the province, calling for calm among the public. During the weekend, five patients with suspected myiasis were examined at Odi District Hospital in Tshwane, but testing found no relation with the disease. Three patients were quickly discharged. The Department of Health said it investigated claims about the outbreak and found no evidence supporting them. No evidence was also found about staphylococcus infections in North Pretoria. The department spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, reassured the public there is no widespread disease outbreak in Gauteng. However, he invited them to adopt several preventive measures against myiasis, including ironing clothes before wearing them, maintaining proper hygiene, and treating pets for fly infestations.
Myiasis is caused by flies laying eggs on damp clothing, bedding, or unsanitary surfaces. Once the eggs hatch, the maggots penetrate the human skin, causing swelling, irritation, and boil-like lesions. The disease does not spread from human to human.