The number of people with scabies is growing again. The peak is at its highest since early December. Currently, 42 out of 100,000 people suffer from the skin disease, reports research institute Nivel. There are a striking number of infections among children between zero and four years old in Overijssel.
At the beginning of December, the number of infections per 100,000 people was 44. “We may still exceed that number, but it is difficult to predict,” says Mariëtte Hooiveld, senior researcher at Nivel. According to Hooiveld, it mainly depends on how accurately patients treat the skin disease. “We hope that everyone adheres to the strict treatment and follows exactly.”
The number of people with scabies is much higher than last year around the same time. Then it was 17 per 100,000 people. In the years before, the number fluctuated around 10. The most recent increase shows something striking: a strong increase in the number of patients from zero to four years. This is remarkable, because scabies is most common among young people aged 15 to 24.
According to Hooiveld, this increase can be explained by an outbreak in Overijssel. A young child may have contracted scabies and spread the disease at a preschool. We also see more registrations of scabies in adults in that province.
Wat is schurft?
Schurft, dat officieel scabiës heet, is een huidinfectie die wordt veroorzaakt door schurftmijten. Dat zijn minuscule beestjes die gangetjes graven aan de oppervlakte van de huid. Daarin leggen ze eitjes waar weer nieuwe schurftmijten uit komen. De huidziekte veroorzaakt uitslag en intense jeuk.
Effect of RIVM and GGD actions unclear
The number of scab infections has been increasing since October 2021. “The number of patients kept increasing,” says Hooiveld. In the summer of 2021, growth leveled off due to the holidays. “People are less together at those times, such as in student houses. But as soon as the holiday was over, the number rose again.”
In response to the increase, RIVM is providing more information. GGDs have also taken action to prevent major outbreaks. For example, they provided information about the skin condition during introduction weeks and extra ‘scabies consultation hours’ were added for students. But the question is how much effect those actions have, because the number of patients has never been so large.
According to the health services, discussing scabies is taboo. “That shame is difficult, because you have to tell people around you, because everyone you have had contact with has to start treatment. Even if that person is not yet itchy,” dermatologist Jorrit Terra previously told NU.nl.
Doctor does not have to report scabies in source and contact tracing
The number of patients may not be complete. “Since 2008, there has been no obligation to report if you have scabies in the Netherlands,” explains a spokesman for the RIVM. This means that doctors are not obliged to report cases of scabies and to inform contacts of the patients. This is only the case with scabies, a serious form of the mite.
This makes it difficult to prevent a further outbreak of scab. That is one of the reasons why the number of people with the skin condition continues to fluctuate.
The exact cause of the current increase is difficult to determine. The shortage of medicines and the costs of treatment may play a role. Although medicines against scabies are reimbursed by health insurance, the costs are first deducted from the deductible. That is a considerable amount for some people.
Treatment is complex and must be done accurately
The treatment of the mite is complex. Often a cream or pills is prescribed by the doctor. With the cream you have to rub your whole body well. You repeat this treatment one to two weeks later. This also applies to your housemates and the people with whom you have (had) (intimate) physical contact.
If that rubbing does not go well, there is a good chance that the mite will remain. In addition, there are strict hygiene conditions. For example, you should wash all your clothes and bedding at 60 degrees or store them in a sealed plastic bag for three days and then wash them at a lower temperature.