By OBAKENG MAJE
27 March 2025- The North West Department dismissed allegations that there might be an outbreak of Tumbu Fly Infestation. This comes after community members across the province alleged that they have seen some flies dropping their eggs on their clothes or table cloths.
Last week, a video that has since gone viral, a fly was seen hatching larvae (maggots) on a cloth in one of schools in Mahikeng.
However, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tshegofatso Mothibedi said the matter was thoroughly investigated on the same day, when the department was made aware. Mothibedi said they have concluded that it was an isolated incident.
“The department was made aware of the matter and on the same day, we sent the Departmental Environmental Health officials, who went to the school on Saturday. Officials did not discover a swarm of flies as initially reported by resident(s).
“It was one isolated fly and upon investigation, our data suggested that there was no widespread health risk. There was no swarm of flies as earlier suggested, but one isolated fly which we recommended should be taken for tests,” he said.
Mothibedi further said in an unrelated case, there were unconfirmed reports of worms coming out of wounds of a certain individual, to date such a case has not been officially registered with them. He added that, however, they recommend any individual to visit their nearest facility so that a thorough assessment and determination could be conducted for treatment.
“The department also calls for calm and wishes to caution everyone not to cause panic as this matter has already been dealt with, with all pupils safely attending classes at the said school,” said Mothibed.
Meanwhile, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases of South Africa (NICD) said it was consulted back in 2018, about numerous cutaneous maggot infestations (furuncular myiasis) in humans in North West, as well as increased sporadic cases in Gauteng Province. The body said its laboratory has confirmed that the maggots are those of the tumbu fly (also known as the ‘mango’ or ‘putsi’ fly).
“The increase in the number of cases is most likely related to the recent marked increase in seasonal rainfall, leading to the expansion of the fly’s normal range, namely the warmer northern and eastern parts of the country.
“The adult female tumbu fly (Cordylobia anthropophaga) deposits eggs usually on urine- or faeces-contaminated sand, soil or clothing. The larvae (maggots) hatch and on contact with skin, penetrate and cause enlarging boil-like skin lesions, each with a small opening at the apex through which the larva breathes (furuncular myiasis),” it said.
The Guardian 