ROMAN Catholic priest, Father Oscar Barraza has started a three-day mass in the hope of bringing some relief from a mystery illness that has resurfaced in North West District (NWD) schools. The praying, which began Wednesday and is continuing, followed concerns for fifth form students who have to sit the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) tests in May/June.
Barraza said he has also allowed teachers to conduct classes in the Catholic Church to supplement lessons in the multi-purpose building.
But, a concerned parent, Mrs. Helen Thomas said the dormitories are almost empty as parents took their children out and others are staying away.
The priest agreed that the affliction is not only physically draining but also psychologically taxing.
Thomas said the community is happy for the intervention of the Catholic Church but is inviting more denominations to intervene.
The sickness initially affected students of Santa Rosa Secondary School, three years ago, but was evidenced, again, a month ago.
“It’s like the children going crazy. When they are attacked, they become unconscious and, even with their eyes closed, they exhibit bouts of energy that cause them to scream and run wild,” said Thomas.
She said most of victims are girls who first get belly aches before losing the senses of seeing and hearing and experiencing lack of strength.
Thomas said the sickness, which previously afflicted only children in the dormitories has now struck those attending Santa Mission Secondary School.
She said it appears to be contagious, as well, because one 16-year-old girl was stricken immediately upon returning home from borrowing a book from a peer who suffered the illness.
Thomas said health workers have been unable to detect the cause of the mysterious ailment and tests done on some patients, who were taken to Suddie Hospital, on Essequibo Coast, were not successful.
She said, because many children are suffering from it, normal school operations have been disrupted.
At a Parents Teachers Association (PTA) meeting on Tuesday, the majority agreed to stop sending their offspring to school.
