Injinoo community praised for support of skin infection screening program

Health authorities have praised the community of Injinoo in the Northern Peninsula Area for its strong support of a recent skin infection screening program.

The screening at Injinoo was undertaken during the week starting 19 October, following an outbreak of the Acute Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis (APSGN) earlier in the month.

Four cases of APSGN have been confirmed to date.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Public Health Medical Officer Dr Allison Hempenstall said the Injinoo screening program targeted the most at risk group for APSGN, which was children and young people between the ages of 12 months and up to and including 16 years.

An estimated 300 children and young people are in this age group in community and 85 per cent were screened and/or offered treatment if required.

The screening was undertaken by Torres and Cape Public Health Unit staff, in partnership with staff from Bamaga Primary Health Care Centre and Northern Peninsula Area Family and Community Services.

“The high proportions of the target age groups successfully screened and/or offered antibiotics was an astounding result due to huge community support,’’ Dr Hempenstall said.

“I would like to thank Northern Peninsula Area Family and Community Services, the local council, school, our public health staff, staff of Bamaga Primary Health Care Centre and the entire community for getting behind our response.

“Without their strong support we simply would not have achieved such a high screening rate.’’

APSGN is an inflammatory disease of the kidneys that may follow streptococcal skin or throat infection and can lead to chronic kidney disease if untreated.

Symptoms to look out for are skin sores, itch from scabies, or a sore throat. A puffy face and limbs, or sometimes reddish to dark urine, could signal kidney problems.

During any screening program, any children found to have skin sores or sore throats are offered a simple course of antibiotics to prevent them developing APSGN.

Cases of APSGN are detected across Cape York, the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula area from time to time.

Anyone with symptoms should always present to their local primary health care centre.

Dr Hempenstall said the prevalence of APSGN was closely tied to many social determinants of health, including childhood disadvantage and household overcrowding.

“The prevention of APSGN must be targeted at addressing underlying causes, which are beyond just clinical and go to broader social determinants of health,’’ she said.

“From a clinical perspective, our health service responds quickly to individual cases as well as outbreaks of APSGN as soon as these arise.

“We do this through clinical management with specialist consultation, contact tracing, screening and education for close contacts, and the formation of an outbreak response team if required.

APSGN results from Strep A, a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that can lead to chronic kidney disease if untreated.

“When an APSGN outbreak is identified, and to minimise the spread of the infection, we immediately begin screening in the affected community to check children for the skin sores and sore throats which may go on to cause APSGN.

“As well as monitoring for cases of APSGN and other skin health and kidney-related conditions, our clinical staff deliver a range of education and awareness programs about skin health and kidney health right across our region through our primary health care centres, our public health unit and our Maternal, Child and Family Health services.’’

Precautions

Cape York, Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area residents can prevent skin infections and APSGN kidney complications in children by delivering first aid for minor injuries and regular washing or swimming.

In addition:

• You should wash your hands and body with soap, sleep in a clean bed, wash your sheets and towels regularly and wash and wear clean clothes every day.
• Children need to be helped to use soap and to wash properly.
• Keep your house and yard clean and dispose of garbage properly.
• Check for skin sores and possible scabies (itch mites) in family members often.
• If your child has sores, take them to your local health centre.

As well as controlling the spread of skin infections, good hygiene is vital in helping ensure kidney complications do not occur in the first place.