By Francine Black, Staff Reporter

An outbreak of ringworm, which affected more than 51 students of the Leicesterfield Primary and Junior High School in Clarendon, was contained thanks to the intervention of a doctor, who was brought to the community recently to treat those affected.

Several children from Leicesterfield and the neighbouring communities of Cooperwood, Nine Turns, Orange Hill, Coffee Piece, among others, who attend the school were treated at the community clinic after the caretaker, Michael Stern, brought in a doctor to deal with the outbreak.

"We are really thankful that the doctor came because maybe other water diseases would come about and it would be worse," Jeneese Webb, a resident, said.

grateful residents

The residents who said the problems stemmed from water problems in the community were very grateful, and noted that the problem resulted from the water they were forced to consume because of the lack of water in their taps. "A spring wi haffi tek di water from and when yuh draw five buckets, it go down and get muddy and sometime it smells," Webb said.

Other children who did not attend the school were also affected by the spread of the fungus. Children ranging from ages four to 16 had to be treated and are to receive follow-up care from the residents.

Dr. Victor Lindo, who was brought to the community by the caretaker for North Western Clarendon, Michael Stern, said the cases were moderate and the residents have received sufficient shampoos and creams to clear up the fungus.

Stern says the water problems have been affecting the community for more than four years and he has been trying to have the problem corrected. He also said on labour day the catchment tank that supplies the community had been cleaned but the water is not enough in the tank to frequently supply the communities.

In the meantime, Mr. Stern says he has secured a truck to distribute water to the Leicesterfield and neighbouring communities once per week during the summer. He also said he has submitted a report about the water problems to the parish council and it is now carrying out its own assessment.

Residents have also been advised to treat water by boiling or adding bleach whether they intend to drink or bathe with it.