The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Three cases of acute Glomerulonephritis were confirmed in Buli Middle Secondary School (BMSS) in Zhemgang.
Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the Glomeruli or a bundle of tiny vessels inside the kidneys which help to filter waste products and excess water from the blood stream.
Insect bites in the exposed part of the body are suspected to be the main cause for the cases in the school. The insect bites which resulted in rashes on the bodies and scratching worsened the infected wound.
The first such case started with15-year-old male student who was referred and admitted to the Yebilaptsa hospital and later to Central Regional Referral Hospital in Gelephu where the case was diagnosed as ‘Post Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis’ meaning disorder of the kidneys that occurs after infection with certain strains of streptococcus bacteria.
This case was followed by that of an 11 year-old and a 14 year-old students on 16 June and 20 June respectively.
“One of the most common reasons for a secondary infection to occur is suppression of the immune system,” stated the report.
The case investigation on 20 June found out 28 additional male students and seven female students with infected lower limbs.
The three students at Yebilaptsa hospital are currently initiated proper treatment at the proper time. The first case admitted at the Yebilaptsa hospital continued to have hypertension despite treatment with antihypertensive and he was advised to consult physicians at JDWNRH during the school’s summer break.
The health team which visited the school gave a talk on the disease to create awareness.
About 50 students underwent screening for skin infections, facial and limbs and checking blood pressure, nutritional status and heart conditions. Urine routine examination was also performed for the entire student directed to detect red cells and albumin.
The Health team provided antibiotic for the duration of 10 days in addition to application of Gentian Violent paint.
Intervention undertaken by the health team, teachers and students were fully sensitized about the illness and few recommendations were discussed to avert such events in future. Also students with insect bites were advised to seek early health care services to prevent infection and further complications with proper care at initial stage.
The report states children between ages of two to 12 are predominantly affected. The condition ‘Chronic Glomerulonephritis’ can develop over a period of 10-20 years and is most often associated with other systematic disease, including diabetes, malaria, hepatitis or systematic lupus erythematosus.
“Except for the cases of the first three students, rest was found negative,” says School’s principal Chada Jamtshok adding that the students are treated with medication and are able to attend their regular classes.
The school principal said insect bites were common in the place but not to the extent of the present situation. Though such insects are found in other places too but it is comparatively more out here.
“Even teachers and community people are also bitten and found them visiting nearest BHU,” he said.
A further investigation of the case will be done.
