Health authorities issue warning over contagious disease outbreak—are you at risk?
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In a concerning development for residents of New South Wales, a scabies outbreak has been reported across four hospitals in the Illawarra Shoalhaven area.
Health officials are warning the public to be vigilant for signs of the contagious skin condition.
The outbreak, first identified at Wollongong Hospital in late July, has since seen cases emerge at Shellharbour, Bulli, and Coledale hospitals.
To date, 11 patients and 23 hospital staff have been diagnosed with scabies, highlighting the ease with which this condition can spread in close-contact environments.
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) is actively working to curb the spread of the disease.
They have initiated contact-tracing efforts to identify and inform staff and patients who may have been exposed.
‘Scabies is a common and very treatable condition,’ ISLHD Chief Executive Margot Mains said.
‘While it can be effectively managed in households, much like headlice, it can be difficult to contain, especially in a hospital setting where patients are grouped together and there is a high transit level of staff between wards.’
Scabies is caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrows into the skin, causing an intensely itchy rash.
The disease is primarily spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, but it can also be transmitted through contaminated bedding or clothing.
The good news is that scabies can be effectively treated with prescribed medications that kill the mites, and there are usually no long-term complications once treated.
However, the disease has an incubation period of up to six to eight weeks, meaning that individuals may carry the mites and spread the infection without showing any symptoms initially.
Symptoms to watch out for include a persistent itchy rash, particularly between the fingers, around the wrists, armpits, buttocks, and groin.
The itching often worsens at night or after a hot shower and can lead to sleep disturbances due to discomfort.
Given the outbreak, patients who have been discharged from the affected hospitals since mid-May are being urged to monitor themselves for symptoms and to seek medical advice from their GP if they suspect they may have contracted scabies.
Have you or someone close to you been affected by the scabies outbreak? How did you manage the situation? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Health officials are warning the public to be vigilant for signs of the contagious skin condition.
The outbreak, first identified at Wollongong Hospital in late July, has since seen cases emerge at Shellharbour, Bulli, and Coledale hospitals.
To date, 11 patients and 23 hospital staff have been diagnosed with scabies, highlighting the ease with which this condition can spread in close-contact environments.
A scabies outbreak has been detected across several hospitals. Credit: Shutterstock
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) is actively working to curb the spread of the disease.
They have initiated contact-tracing efforts to identify and inform staff and patients who may have been exposed.
‘Scabies is a common and very treatable condition,’ ISLHD Chief Executive Margot Mains said.
‘While it can be effectively managed in households, much like headlice, it can be difficult to contain, especially in a hospital setting where patients are grouped together and there is a high transit level of staff between wards.’
Scabies is caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrows into the skin, causing an intensely itchy rash.
The disease is primarily spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, but it can also be transmitted through contaminated bedding or clothing.
The good news is that scabies can be effectively treated with prescribed medications that kill the mites, and there are usually no long-term complications once treated.
However, the disease has an incubation period of up to six to eight weeks, meaning that individuals may carry the mites and spread the infection without showing any symptoms initially.
Symptoms to watch out for include a persistent itchy rash, particularly between the fingers, around the wrists, armpits, buttocks, and groin.
The itching often worsens at night or after a hot shower and can lead to sleep disturbances due to discomfort.
Given the outbreak, patients who have been discharged from the affected hospitals since mid-May are being urged to monitor themselves for symptoms and to seek medical advice from their GP if they suspect they may have contracted scabies.
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