In a recent development it has been discovered that 63 student from a private school in Mulanje have been diagnosed with chicken pox while 3 others with scabies and so far have been referred to a private clinic in the district.

FaceofMalawi speaking to Mulanje District Health Office Innocent Chavinda confirmed of the development and further disclosed that Nsanjama Private Primary School where the disease has been reported could be ordered to close because the school management hid the apparent outbreak by silently referring sick learners to a private clinic in the vicinity.

Chavunda further elaborated that an inspection by the District Hospital Management Team (DHMT) later found that three out of every eight learners had chicken pox.

“We can confirm that the school reported 71 chicken pox suspected cases, 63 were treated at the private clinic and eight were taken to the District Hospital where 3 showed strong signs and symptoms of chicken pox. 14 students after examination were diagnosed of scabies,” said Mr. Chavinda.

However manager for Nsanjama Private Primary School, Rhodrick Machika rejected that over 70 learners from the school had chicken pox saying there were only three cases.

“We only had three suspected chicken pox cases. And it is also not true that suspected cases were secretly taken to a private clinic,” said Mr. Machika claiming that the District Health Office was witch-hunting and exaggerating on numbers of those who may have been attacked.