Treatment and prevention of a hospital based infection caused by crusted scabies: a rare variant of scabies

ABSTRACT

The purpose is to report a rare variant of scabies known as Norwegian or crusted scabies which was the source of an outbreak of scabies in the hospital and highlight the preventive and treatment aspects by which the infection was controlled. All staff members who were in contact with the patient with complaints of itching were screened. Diagnosis was made by the typical history and examination of all the affected staff members and also the family members. All affected contacts were treated with anti-scabetic treatments. Information leaflets highlighting the importance of containing the infection by preventive measures were distributed to the staff. All patients responded well to treatment. Because all staff members followed the preventative advice the infection was controlled without spreading it to their contacts. A rare variant of scabies was the cause of a nosocomial infection causing distress to the affected staff members and financial implications, as the hospital had to breathe cost of the expensive anti-scabetic preparations. Prompt treatment and appropriate preventative advice and care contained this rare parasitic nosocomial infection