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This national guidance has been developed to aid UK Health Security Agency UKHSA health protection teams HPTs and others involved in the management and control of scabies cases and outbreaks in long-term care facilities and other closed settings. Previously, HPTs in England have developed and used local guidance which made variable recommendations 1. The guidance is split broadly into 2 sections: management of single cases, and management of outbreaks.
It is intended as a basis for consistent practice nationally, drawing upon the best available evidence and experience base. Advise on appropriate personal protective equipment PPE for staff and visitors. If 2 or more linked cases within an 8 week period, assess all individuals staff and residents within the setting for scabies infection.
Advise on appropriate PPE for staff and visitors. Scabies is a skin condition caused by an immune reaction to the mite Sarcoptes scabiei and their saliva, eggs and faeces.
The typical clinical presentation of infection is intense itching associated with burrows, nodules and redness. However, asymptomatic infection has been demonstrated in the elderly 2. Symptoms may last for weeks or months, can be hard to recognise and are often mistakenly attributed to other skin conditions, leading to avoidable transmission.
