An outbreak of scabies in a long-term care facility: the role of misdiagnosis and the costs associated with control

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2006 May;27(5):517-8. doi: 10.1086/504365. Epub 2006 Apr 20.

Abstract

In August 2003, an outbreak of scabies was detected in a Canadian long-term care facility. The outbreak was likely associated with 2 index cases, 1 involving classic scabies and the other involving Norwegian scabies. The scabies control costs totaled CDN $200,000, and the facility received negative publicity for a short period after the outbreak.

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Canada
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Disinfection / methods
  • Female
  • Homes for the Aged*
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / economics*
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional
  • Long-Term Care*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Homes*
  • Scabies / diagnosis
  • Scabies / drug therapy
  • Scabies / epidemiology*
  • Scabies / prevention & control