Infection scare over pricked pupils
Panicked parents rush to school
At least a dozen anxious parents flocked to Laerskool Mooifontein in Kempton Park yesterday in panic after more than 20 pupils were reportedly punctured with a needle, sparking fears about infection.
Although the incident took place last week, some parents of Grade 4 pupils at the primary school where 28 of them were reported to have been pricked with a needle by their classmates, took them for medical checks yesterday.
One of the parents said he was distressed after seeing reports that children were placed on anti-retroviral treatment following the scare.
“It is stressing to test for HIV as an adult; you can just imagine the stress the tests have caused for these young ones,” said the parent who went to the school to demand clarity on what happened.
Some parents threatened to sue the parents of a girl who brought the needle to school for negligence.
According to the school, one of the pupils brought a small needle usually used when checking blood sugar levels on a HGT machine and allegedly started pricking her fellow classmates with it.
The school immediately informed parents of the affected pupils and they received urgent medical attention. As a precautionary measure, the pupils were given post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), however, some reacted negatively to the medication and vomited while others had runny stomachs.
A 42-year-old father yesterday fetched his nine-year-old daughter from the school as her temperature was high and she complained of thirst.
“I did not know about this incident, I only heard about it on the news. It is very tough for us as parents because we don’t know what to expect because we know sharing of needles is dangerous.
“How do you explain to your daughter that she has to test for HIV. I am worried about her health especially because she kept quiet about the incident. She is one of the few kids who were shy to report the matter,” he said.
The nine-year-old said she was scared to tell her parents about the incident.
Another parent said she also heard about the incident on the news.
“We were having supper when I saw the news. I could not eat as I was worried about my nine-year-old daughter who said she did not think much of it when it happened.
“I went on a panic mode because the 78 hours for her to take the PEP had already passed. My worry now is the PEP that they have to take for 28 days.
“It is a strong drug for them. As parents we need to be very careful around our kids,” she said.
Gauteng department of education spokesman Steve Mabona said the needles belonged to a family member of a Grade 4 pupil.
“We can confirm that the needles were sent to the laboratory for tests. A process to conduct counselling to all affected pupils has commenced and will continue until the reintegration of pupils to the school is concluded.
“The school governing body (SGB) has commenced with disciplinary process against the perpetrators and a case has been opened against the owner of the needle,” Mabonasaid.
‘‘ How do you explain to your child she has to test for HIV