NSW hospitals battle scabies outbreak

Aussie hospitals are battling an outbreak, and are tracing patients and ringing close contacts who may be at risk of the ancient disease.

Hospitals in NSW are dealing with an outbreak of scabies.

Residents are urged to be on high alert as four hospitals in the Illawarra Shoalhaven area work to contain the infamous infectious skin condition that has been observed in humans since ancient times.

Cases were first detected at Wollongong Hospital in July. The condition was also confirmed at Shellharbour, Bulli and Coledale hospitals.

As of Tuesday, 11 patients and 23 hospital staff have been diagnosed with scabies, 9 News reported.

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) have begun tracing staff and patients and contacting those who may be at risk.

ISLHD chief executive Margot Mains reminded the public scabies is a common, and treatable condition.

New South Wales residents should be on alert for scabies as an outbreak is being dealt with by four hospitals in the Illawarra Shoalhaven area. Picture: Getty

“While it can be effectively managed in households, much like headlice, it can be difficult to contain especially in a hospital setting where patients are grouped together and there is a high transit level of staff between wards,” she told 9 News.

She warned that more cases were likely to be detected as the condition has an incubation period of up to eight weeks and often goes undetected.

Scabies is a skin condition caused by tiny mites called sarcoptes scabiei.

The mites burrow into the skin to lay eggs. New insects hatch from the eggs and can spread to other parts of the skin.

It is commonly spread though skin-to-skin contact. The main symptoms are intense itching and a mild rash. Scabies can be treated with cream, available at chemists.

Patients discharged from hospitals in the area are urged to be on alert for the condition and contact their doctor if symptoms develop.