Hundreds of Bondowoso residents suffering itchiness

Residents of the Kademangan neighborhood in Bondowoso, East Java, have reported suffering extreme itchiness, possibly from scabies, the local health agency says.

According to a report on tribunnews.com, the onset of the symptoms, affecting hundreds of adults and small children, had occured almost simultaneously, with some people bleeding from excessive scratching.

Nipah, a resident, said her husband, three children and grandchildren were all suffering from the symptoms. "Everyone in the family is experiencing the itches. Our hands and feet are bruised from scratching," she said.

Bondowoso Health Agency disease and environment management chief Bambang Supeno said medication would be made available to residents via community health centers.