The Gauteng Health Department has denied accusations of a disease outbreak in Pretoria North linked to maggots and staphylococcus infection – and claims on social media, in particular, regarding an alleged tie between maggots and staphylococcus infection in Pretoria North clinics.
The department, through its Public Health Directorate and Tshwane District Health Services, said it had investigated and found no evidence of a widespread outbreak.
Over the past weekend, Odi District Hospital in Tshwane attended to five patients with suspected myiasis, a condition caused by maggot infestation. The Star reports that three of these were clinically diagnosed with myiasis, while the other two were found to have unrelated abscesses and were transferred to Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital.
The three patients were examined and discharged on the same day.
The investigation further confirmed that on 7 March, a single patient with chronic wounds, unresponsive to treatment, was seen at Jack Hindon Clinic, where laboratory tests confirmed a staph infection. The patient was referred to Tshwane District Hospital for further management.
The department said there has been no increase in staph infections that might indicate an outbreak, and urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information that may cause unnecessary panic.
Staphylococcus bacteria are commonly found on human skin and are generally harmless unless they enter the body through a wound or cut.
Myiasis is not an infectious disease and does not spread from person to person, the department added, and usually occurs when flies lay eggs on damp clothing, bedding, or unsanitary surfaces.
Once hatched, the maggots dig into the skin, causing swelling, irritation, and a boil-like lesion with a small hole through which the maggot breathes. Common symptoms of myiasis include painful, swollen lumps on the skin with a small hole in the swollen area, sometimes with visible movement inside.
Itching or a sensation of something moving under the skin can also be a symptom, while in some cases, a discharge will be detected from the wound.
The Star article – Gauteng Health Department denies disease outbreak linked to maggots (Open access)
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