Scabies Outbreak: UK reports spike in Scabies, doctors urge public to shed ‘social stigma’ and come forward | World News

England is reporting a spike Scabies cases with health authorities warning the public not to ignore the highly infectious skin disease despite “social stigma” preventing people from opening out, BBC reported. The disease is caused by a mite which burrows under the skin to lay eggs and is contaminated through physical contact, bedding and clothes.
BBC quoted the Royal College of GPs RCGP as urging public to take necessary precaution, which is now spreading quickly in crowded places such as universities and care homes. The doctors also urged people to shed off the “social stigma” attached to it and come forward to address the disease.
The report also quoted professor Kamila Hawthorne, RCGP chairwoman as saying while incidences remained infrequent, the number of GP diagnoses was “above the five-year average and rising, with the north of England seeing a spike in cases”.
“While not a serious condition, scabies can be very itchy and irritating,” she said.
“If not properly treated, it can spread and increase a patient’s risk of complications, such as secondary skin infections or make existing skin conditions worse.”
According to NHS data, 3,689 cases of scabies were diagnosed in hospitals across England in the year ending in April, marking a rise from 2,128 cases the previous year.
The report gathered accounts from students at five universities who reported clusters of scabies cases that seemed to appear “out of nowhere,” with entire households affected.
One student described was quoted as noticing “tiny red dots” spreading along his wrist and later discovered a housemate had also contracted scabies, prompting him to realize he had it as well. Another student said he had been struggling to eliminate the infection for “two to three months” and speculated that “sleeping together” may have been the cause.
Professor Hawthorne advised that, despite any stigma associated with scabies, people should not ignore their symptoms, as delaying treatment can worsen the condition and increase the risk of transmission.
Medical professionals in the UK have recommend that all individuals infected receive simultaneous treatment with a pharmacy cream or lotion. Bedding and clothing should also be washed at a high temperature to reduce reinfection risk.