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New South Wales, Australia There is a threat of a skin disease spreading rapidly in the country. In view of this, the number of people searching for information about 'NSW scabies outbreak' on Google has increased in recent days.
The itching is spreading
According to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District in South Sydney, the first case was reported at Wollongong Hospital in late July. Since then, at least 11 patients and 23 health workers have been affected by scabies in four hospitals in the region.
What exactly is scabies and why is it a matter of concern?
Scabies is a type of skin infection caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. It grows under our skin and starts spreading slowly. Its symptoms usually include itchy rashes, swelling on the skin or scratches. You may also notice cracks in the skin, which look like thick, small or colorless lines.
Scabies usually appears on your body where skin joins together, such as between the fingers, in the armpits or on the private parts. Scabies tends to be worse at night or after bathing in hot water. Scabies can look similar to other skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or dry skin. If you have scabies, it's important that you see a doctor or health professional. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether you have scabies or another skin condition.
How is scabies spread?
Scabies spreads through skin-to-skin contact with infected skin. It also spreads through towels, clothes or other items like bed sheets or pillows of the infected person. The worm that causes this contagious skin disease survives for barely 48 hours on items other than the human body. Once you come in contact with this parasite, it starts spreading and the symptoms start appearing between two to eight weeks.
This is because the germ first enters your skin and then starts growing slowly and once it grows completely, its symptoms start appearing. Before its symptoms appear, you can become a medium for its spread, due to which it becomes difficult to control itching. Is it possible to cure it?
It is important that you do not scratch when you have scabies because by doing so you can spread the newly born germs under your skin, which can affect more parts of your skin. Not only this, itching can also cause you to get another bacterial infection. The good news is that once identified, scabies can be treated very easily. Your doctor may advise you to use a cream or lotion, which is usually easily available in medical stores.
Before using any cream or lotion, doctor's advice and guidance is very important. If someone in your house has scabies, wash all the sheets, towels and clothes used in the last 48 hours with hot water. If it is difficult for you to wash all those things, then put those things in a plastic bag and leave it like that for a week. These insects will die on their own with time.
Scabies is a common disease
According to the World Health Organization, at least 200 million people worldwide suffer from scabies at some point in time. Scabies can affect anyone living in any country, but the problem is more common in places where there is a high population. The problem is more prevalent in some remote areas of Australia, where mainly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are affected.
Occasionally, outbreaks can spread to regional areas and parts of metro cities, as we are seeing in New South Wales. Outbreaks can also occur in places like hospitals, childcare centres, detention centres and prisons, where people spend a lot of time in confined spaces.
What is the NSW outbreak?
It is not yet known how the scabies outbreak in New South Wales has spread. It is unfortunate that this outbreak is affecting hospitals, which have very strict infection prevention and control procedures in place. Healthcare facilities have developed plans to control such outbreaks. If someone has or is suspected of having scabies, they are isolated as a precaution. This means they will be given a separate room, a separate bathroom and the staff caring for them will have to take more precautionary measures.
Healthcare centers have advised that if a hospital employee gets scabies, he should not return to work for the next 24 hours after getting proper treatment. Also, if you spend time in the affected hospital or live in a crowded area, there is no need to panic. You should ensure that there are no rashes on your skin and if symptoms appear, get proper treatment.
