Published18. April 2024, 04:27
Infectious disease: Scabies on the rise: allegations against BAG are becoming louder
Cases of scabies are increasing in Switzerland. The skin disease circulates particularly in daycare centers and asylum centers. Switzerland seems hardly prepared for this, the BAG is being asked to act.
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Scabies is becoming increasingly common again in Switzerland.
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Cases are known, especially in daycare centers and nursing homes, and also in barracks.
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The problem, according to the child care association Kibesuisse: The illness is not reportable.
Scabbers, does that even exist anymore? For many, the disease is a relic from the Middle Ages. However, it is currently apparent that scabies, as it is scientifically called, is becoming more and more of an issue in Switzerland. Current figures are not available due to the lack of reporting requirements, but if you believe doctors and daycare centers, the cases are increasing: for example in some Zurich daycare centers, in St. Gallen nursing homes or in a barracks in Gossau SG. At the same time, no one seems to be adequately prepared for the disease.
“For years, doctors hardly came into contact with scabies”
Markus Theiler, senior doctor in dermatology at the University Children’s Hospital Zurich, has also noticed a steady increase. How he compared to that “Tages-Anzeiger” says he assumes “thousands of cases”. He also emphasizes that many doctors have hardly come into contact with the disease in recent decades. This is also one reason why misdiagnoses occur.
Another problem: the scabies treatments often didn’t work properly. The reason for this, says Theiler, is that some mite strains have developed resistance to the cream that is commonly used.
Childcare worker calls on BAG to take action
There have recently been several cases of scabies in daycare centers in Zurich. Once caught, it is difficult to get rid of. On the one hand, the disease is very contagious and can spread quickly in a small space. On the other hand, scabies can be transmitted not only through direct skin contact, but also through contact with clothes or other textiles. According to a report by the “Tages-Anzeiger”, all fabric furniture in a daycare center was replaced and teachers now only change diapers with gloves.
The childcare association Kibesuisse has therefore had the disease on its radar for a long time, it tells 20 Minuten. For them, scabies cases are not only a medical problem, but also a financial problem. Media spokesman Maximiliano Wepfer says: “In certain cases, closing days are necessary to ensure hygiene standards. However, these are not covered by insurance because scabies is not reportable.” As a result, the daycare centers are losing income and their already tense economic situation is further deteriorating.
What exactly is scabies?
Scabies is caused by the scabies mite. The mites burrow into the top layer of skin and lay eggs there. The main symptom is intense itching, generally worse at night. The burrows of the scabies mites can also be visible on the hand.
There are various remedies to treat scabies. In some regions of Europe, however, scabies medicines have become scarce in recent years. Therapy failure is now also more common. In addition, changing all clothing as well as towels and bed linen once a day and washing at at least 60 degrees is strongly recommended.
That is why it is in their interest that scabies is made a reportable disease – as in Italy and Germany. The failure would then be covered by insurance. Wepfer also criticizes the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) in this context: “It is significant and shameful that there is no information at all about this disease on the BAG website; scabies is conspicuous by its absence.” And further: “That is why Kibesuisse demands that the BAG move forward with the development of the national guideline on scabies.”
BAG sees little need for action
When asked, the BAG said that it is currently developing national recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of scabies. These should be published in the coming weeks. Regarding Kibesuisse’s allegations regarding the lack of reporting requirements, media spokesman Simon Ming says: “The situation in Switzerland is not identical to that in Germany and is therefore only comparable to a limited extent.” The BAG provided information on its website about diseases that are the focus of its work. In addition to the recommendations, no further steps are planned.
In addition to the BAG, it is primarily the cantonal health departments that are entrusted with scabies cases. Anne Tschudin, media spokeswoman for the canton of St. Gallen, suggests, for example, adding the scabies drug Ivermectin to the specialty list. It is currently not covered by health insurance: “This is a big problem because not only the people affected, but also the contact persons have to be treated and the treatment quickly generates high costs for the affected families.”
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