A scabies outbreak has been confirmed at Morriston Hospital in Swansea, with visiting restrictions now in place to contain the spread of the highly contagious Victorian-era parasite.
Swansea Bay University Health Board confirmed that families have been notified after "a small number" of scabies cases were detected at the hospital. A spokesman for the health board, which covers Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, said: "The health board can confirm a small number of scabies cases at Morriston Hospital."
Health Board Response and Guidance
The spokesman added: "Families have been informed and appropriate treatment or guidance has been provided to patients, staff, and relatives. Some visiting restrictions are in place, and we are grateful to relatives for their understanding. If anyone has concerns that they might have scabies, they can get advice from their local pharmacy or GP."
Scabies is caused by eight-legged mites that burrow under the skin and lay eggs, leading to intense itching and blotchy red rashes. These rashes can often be crusty and flaky, affecting areas such as the elbows, knees, feet, hands, and the skin between the fingers and wrist. The ailment can spread to other parts of the body, including the armpits, waist, groin, and bottom, and in severe cases can lead to secondary bacterial infections.
Recent Outbreaks Across Wales
This outbreak follows a separate one recorded at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, last month. Less than a fortnight ago, Hywel Dda Health Board, which oversees west Wales, also confirmed it was dealing with "a scabies outbreak" on the Cadog and Dewi Wards at Glangwili General Hospital.
On October 20, the health board stated: "As a precaution, the wards are temporarily closed to new admissions and visitors from today, Tuesday 20 October. The situation is being reviewed regularly and the risk to the wider public remains low. The health, safety and wellbeing of our patients, visitors and staff is our priority. We are following national guidance and have taken additional steps to reduce the risk of infection spreading."
Treatment and Prevention Advice
The health board has remained silent on the outbreak since, and its website states: "A number of scabies cases are currently being managed in healthcare and community settings across the Hywel Dda area."
The UK Health Security Agency states: "Scabies is a parasitic infection of the skin caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, which buries into the skin and causes intense itching and rashes. Transmission from person to person occurs through close physical contact including, but not exclusively, sexual contact."
Scabies requires treatment to go away, and infections don't pass with time. According to experts, scabies is not usually a serious condition, but it does need to be treated. The NHS added: "Scabies is an itchy rash caused by mites. It's spread through close skin contact, and anyone can get it. It should be treated quickly to stop it spreading."
Adults and children aged five years or over can go back to work or school as soon as they have started treatment, but it's important to avoid close contact with other people for the first 24 hours. Children under five years old can go back to nursery or pre-school 24 hours after the first treatment.
