UK hospital shuts down ward after outbreak of rare form of disease

A Welsh hospital ward has been forced to close following an outbreak of a rare and highly contagious form of scabies.

Hywel Dda health board said the Steffan Ward at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen would be closed while the outbreak was managed ‘in line with established infection prevention and control procedures’.

‘Support and advice has been made available through our Infection Prevention and Control team and we are working closely with partners to manage the situation,’ it said.

‘Additional infection prevention and control measures have been implemented on the ward, including enhanced monitoring, treatment of identified contacts and ongoing support from specialist teams.’

Crusted scabies, formerly known as Norwegian scabies, is a rare yet highly contagious form of the disease that causes a rash and crusts of skin containing thousands of mites.

The disease can be contracted through close skin contact, and anyone can get it. Reduced immunity can make people more susceptible to this particular type of scabies. 

Hywel Dda health board said that all patients and staff identified as contacts had been informed and offered treatment, even those without symptoms.

It said that there had been a rise in scabies across the area it oversees: Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, and Ceredigion. This rise, the board said, was contributing to outbreaks in hospitals. 

‘The situation will be kept under review and the ward will reopen in line with infection prevention and control guidance when it is safe to do so,’ it added.

Symptoms of scabies include intense itching and a raised rash across the body, excluding the head and neck. 

In particular, it affects skin between the fingers, around the wrists, under arms and around the waist, groin and bottom.