Scabies outbreak: Cases spread to four hospitals in New South Wales

A scabies outbreak that has ravaged four hospitals in NSW has been contained, with health officials assuring residents they are ‘working hard to get the outbreak under control’.

NSW Health confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that the number of patients with scabies in four hospitals in the Illawarra, south of Sydney, had risen to 38, including 14 patients and 24 staff.

The first case of the infectious skin condition was reported at Wollongong Hospital, but cases have since been reported at nearby hospitals in Coledale, Shellharbour and Bulli.

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) Chief Executive Margot Mains said she recognised the “impact of this unpleasant condition on patients and staff”.

“I want to assure them and the community that we are working hard to get the outbreak under control and support those affected,” Ms Mains said in a statement.

Scabies is a treatable infectious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin. Scabies, like head lice, can be difficult to control, especially in a hospital setting.

“Because scabies has an incubation period of six to eight weeks, is easily transmitted and can initially have only minimal symptoms, there may be undetected cases in our institutions and community,” she said.

“To prevent the risk of further transmission, the district will provide preventive treatments to all currently hospitalized patients and staff across all of our hospital locations and services.”

Scabies is a treatable infectious skin condition caused by tiny mites. Photo: Getty

Patients discharged from hospital since mid-May are also advised to monitor for symptoms and contact their GP if they develop an itchy rash.

Symptoms of scabies include a rash, often on the wrists, between the fingers and toes, in the armpits, elbows, groin and buttocks, as well as sores and thick crusts of skin.

In an earlier statement, Health Minister Ryan Park said that “people should not be worried or afraid” of scabies and that hospitals were necessarily being “overly cautious”.

“That is why we are doing everything we can to ensure that not only our patients are treated and cared for and that they are prevented from getting scabies, but also our staff and the people who visit the hospital,” he said.

‘Scabies is a common condition that has no lasting effects and is easily treated.’