In a village within Daw Tamagyi area, located on the eastern side of Dee Maw Hso Township, Karenni State, local residents have been experiencing ongoing skin irritations that began in August, with no signs of improvement.

The condition affects people of all ages, with a higher prevalence among school-aged children, according to a young man from the village who spoke to Kantarawaddy Times.

“This condition has been affecting people of all ages and has persisted for some time. Children, young people, and adults are all affected. While it may subside temporarily for some people, it tends to reappear over time,” said a 24-year-old youth.

Residents have been using various medications to relieve the symptoms, including both purchased remedies and medicines provided by mobile health teams, yet no lasting relief has been achieved, he added.

The village was the site of intense clashes between military forces and resistance groups in 2023. Nearly all households have since returned to the village, and the current population is estimated at around 800, with about half reportedly experiencing skin irritations. Unsanitary drinking water is believed to be one of the primary causes of the outbreaks.

“One factor is that the village was abandoned for over a year due to the fighting. The current drinking water comes from wells and ponds that haven’t been used for a long time and are now less clean than they used to be,” explained a local health worker.

While affected individuals are using topical ointments, oral medications, and carefully monitoring their diets, the symptoms persist, shared a woman who is 50s year old.

“A lot of people have been affected. Everywhere we look, we see others suffering, and for some, the symptoms just keep getting worse,” she said. “We feel sympathy for them, but there’s nothing we can do to help. Despite avoiding the foods we’re supposed to, the condition still hasn’t gone away.”

The condition seems to be more contagious among school-aged children, with many staying home during severe flare-ups. Internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and several villages also experience outbreaks of skin irritations, particularly during the rainy season. While some people recover, others continue to suffer according to local people.