Impetigo cases in Mon contained, no new infections — Chief medical officer

DIMAPUR — Health officials in Mon district are working to contain a small outbreak of impetigo, a bacterial skin infection, among schoolchildren.

Four cases have been confirmed among Montessori students at Konjong Higher Secondary School in Mon town.

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Mon, Dr. Suponglemla Walling told this newspaper that the District Civil Hospital was alerted to the situation on August 30 by the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) in Mon.

While the news has circulated on social media in recent days, she said that the infection is currently quite limited in Mon. Health workers have begun house-to-house visits to conduct checks and raise awareness about the infection. Teams are also visiting government schools throughout Mon to monitor for new cases, she said.

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So far, no additional cases have been identified.

Dr. Walling informed that impetigo is a bacterial infection, not viral, and is easily treatable with antibiotics. While it often clears on its own, medication can significantly speed up recovery. She advised parents to seek treatment for their children and not send them to school if they are infected.

The infection commonly appears on the face and spreads through touch. Preventive measures include hygiene practices such as frequent handwashing and avoiding touching one’s face.

Impetigo is both controllable and 100% curable and free treatment is available at the CMO’s office in Mon. Medication can also be purchased at pharmacies, she added.

The situation is currently under control, and the medical team is actively monitoring for any new cases, the CMO assured.