A Suspected Scabies Outbreak at a Nursing Home

Yang JK

2002 Vol.18 NO.5

Correspondence Author：

Abstract：

Scabies is a parasitic disease of the skin caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. Typical symptoms and signs are intense itching, scratching, vesicles, and pustules. Norwegian scabies is a highly infectious disease caused by mite infection in patients with compromised immunological function. The present study investigated a scabies infection at a nursing home. All patients were treated. Differences in the infection rates of scabies and Norwegian scabies in both the elderly and their caregivers at the Nursing home were compared. Though no differences were noted in the infection rate of scabies, the two groups differed significantly in their Norwegian scabies infection rate. It was concluded that the adequacy of immune function had an impact on the infection and spread of Norwegian scabies.