Hawaiian hospital affected by extremely contagious scabies outbreak



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An itch problem affects a Big Island hospital in Hawaii: scabies.

The Kona Community Hospital (KCH) announced an epidemic of skin disease on November 19, announced the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Currently, it is not known how many people have been affected by the scabies epidemic, which the hospital reportedly confirmed after "many people reported experiencing similar symptoms".

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"We're still in the middle of the epidemic, so it's not over yet. I do not have the total numbers and probably up to at least six [to] in eight weeks, "said Lisa Westing, Director of Infection Control and Employee Health at KCH, West Hawaii Today.

A person familiar with the case who asked to remain anonymous told West Hawaii Today that more than "50 hospital employees were diagnosed with scabies" as of Tuesday.

The hospital refused to identify the source of the outbreak, according to Star-Advertiser. However, the hospital stated that he had followed the appropriate protocols and was working with the Hawaii Ministry of Health to inform and treat any patient, visitor or staff member who may have been exposed to it. extremely contagious skin condition.

"All staff members were also informed of the situation immediately and received specific training on scabies infection," KCH spokeswoman Judy Donovan told the newspaper.

Scabies is caused by human scabies that "lodge in the top layer of the skin" and lay eggs, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Common symptoms of the disease include "intense itching and a pimple-like rash," according to the health agency.

"The scabies mite is usually transmitted through direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person with scabies," the CDC added, noting that it spreads easily where "close contact between the body and skin is common ", as in retirement homes or prisons.

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According to the health agency, mites can live on a person for a month or two if they are not treated. It is possible to get rid of scabies mites with scabicides, products prescribed by a doctor who will kill mites and their eggs.

Judy Donovan was not immediately available to comment when Fox News contacted her on Wednesday.

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