By Mitchell Clarke
Students from Officer Primary School have broken out in a rash which is spreading across their body but the cause of the outbreak is still unknown.
While the exact number of students with the rash is yet to be confirmed, one parent said between 80 to 100 students were affected.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) said the school indicated about 30 to 40 students were affected, confirming they were aware of reports of skin rashes affecting some students at Officer Primary School.
The Gazette contacted the school on Friday 18 October but the school weren’t willing to provide comment, with some parents claiming the school was “trying to play it down”.
One concerned parent, who wants to remain anonymous, said his child has about 10-15 lesions across his body and spent the night crying because of the irritation.
“We just thought our child was bitten by a mosquito in bed,” the parent said.
“But it turns out my child isn’t the only one affected. We think half the school is and they’re students from every year level.”
The parent believed the outbreak might be occurring elsewhere in the community and said it was important for those outside this particular school to know.
It’s understood the school sent out a letter to families which acknowledged a number of students presented at school with rashes that initially looked like insect bites on their limbs which then spread to their torsos.
“At this stage there have been varied reports from students who have attended the doctor including allergic reactions, rash caused by a virus and insect bites,” the letter read.
The school said they had consulted a pest control expert to check that it is not caused by a pest infestation and it’s understood the school is arranging for pest control measures to be implemented as a precaution.
It’s believed a number of students were taken to the doctors but the diagnosis still remains unclear, with some practitioners suggesting the rashes could’ve been caused by an insect bite, a virus or an allergic reaction.
A DHHS spokesperson said the Department provides all schools with support for possible health issues and will continue to liaise with Officer Primary School to provide advice and assistance as required.
The school community took to social media to rally behind the school, stating the teaching staff couldn’t have handled the situation any better.
Officer Primary School principal Lynne Brenner released a statement through the Department of Education on Friday night.
“The school has followed the Department’s infectious disease policy and students presenting with rash-like symptoms have been sent home,” Ms Brenner said.
“We encourage families to seek medical advice if they have concerns about their child’s health.”
