Thirty cases of the contagious skin infection scabies have so far been confirmed and the patients and those in contact with them have been treated to stop it from spreading. The Superintendence of Public Health assured the public that the necessary measures, including contact tracing and preventive treatment, were being taken to control the disease and that there was no cause for alarm.

Investigations started when the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit was notified about cases at the Sa Maison private home for the elderly. The residents were screened and contained and the unit has since been notified of two other groups of unrelated cases “in the community”, the superintendence said. Investigations are also being conducted in schools after it transpired that some of the home’s staff and their family members, including children, were infected too. These have also been treated, the superintendence said.

Following the identification of the children who could have been exposed to infection, meetings were held with the parents to provide information on the condition and necessary treatment, it said. Contrary to common misconception, scabies was not related to lack of cleanliness and hygiene, the superintendence pointed out, but was caused by a mite that burrowed under the skin, causing symptoms of intense itching.

The superintendent of public health has encouraged doctors to notify the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit of any suspected and confirmed cases they might encounter in their practice to help mitigate the outbreak in the community.

Scabies can be transmitted from one person to another via direct and skin-to-skin contact, even through clothing. Treatment involves the application of a particular liquid onto the skin, which kills the mite and is then removed through washing.