The cause of the itching disease is the scabies parasite. “Parasites are usually transmitted directly, for example during close contact with the skin of a sick person, especially during sexual intercourse, in a warm environment on a bed, while sleeping in the same bed,” said the experts led by Kateřina Fabiánová in an article. . on the SZÚ website.
Indirectly, it is also possible to catch it from infected bedding or clothing. “Low levels of hygiene, promiscuity and institutionalization contributed to the spread of this disease,” they added.
According to experts, cases occur either in isolation or as local epidemics, for example in schools, hospitals, hostels, in various types of inpatient facilities, in hostels or in prisons. Epidemics usually occur in cycles of approximately 15 to 20 years.
In the Czech region, the major ones appeared during the First and Second World Wars, others in 1970, when more than 15,000 cases were reported, and in 1993, when there were more than 14,000.4,900.
Inadequate cleanliness
The spread of the disease is facilitated by a low level of hygiene, if the patient is not treated and does not follow the prescribed measures. “Probable causes include the effect of collective hypersensitivity and decreased population immunity, overcrowding and mass migration of populations, and worsening social and hygienic levels, increased tourism and decreased medical vigilance as part of epidemiological prevention,” the experts said in the article.
Scabies is an infectious disease caused by the scabies parasite.
The symptom of scabies is an itchy feeling that appears especially at night after being warm in bed. Areas with thinner skin such as the wrists, ankles, between the toes, genitals, waist, belly button, or inner thighs may develop a rash. It is treated repeatedly with special ointments and creams all over the body, it is also necessary to change clothes and wash clothes.
It is estimated that 200 to 300 million people worldwide get scabies each year. Scabies epidemic cycles usually occur in long cycles with intervals of 15-20 years between epidemics. Scabies is widespread worldwide, regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnicity and hygiene habits, but its incidence is higher in densely populated tropical areas, especially in Africa, South America, Australia and Southeast Asia.
High prevalence correlates with poverty, poor nutritional status, homelessness and poor sanitation. WHO included scabies along with other ectoparasites in 2017 as a neglected tropical disease (NTD).
“Certified bacon geek. Evil social media fanatic. Music practitioner. Communicator.”
