subject: Frequency Rates & Locations of Scabies [print this page] Frequency Rates & Locations of Scabies Frequency Rates & Locations of Scabies
The epidemiology of scabies bares many accounts suggesting that scabies' pandemics or epidemics occur once every 30-year cycle. However, some claim it to be an oversimplification of its incidence. Since an incidence of scabies is difficult to establish, the data collected had been based on variable notification, because scabies was seen as a non-reportable disease. The majority of these accounts corresponded with the major 20th century wars.
Epidemics have clearly been reported between these three time periods: 1919 to 1925, 1936 to 1949, and 1964 to 1979. These reports were prevalent in many tropical and subtropical regions. In February of 2009, the Bulletin of the World Health Organization reported that scabies is one of the six major EPSD's (Epidermal Parasitic Skin Diseases) predominant within poor-resource populations. Rates of infection are exceptionally higher in aboriginal tribes within Africa, South America, and Australia, as well as other developing populations across the world. Prevalence rates as high as 100% were reported in one Indian village, and various parts of South America and Central America. Within select parts of Bangladesh, the number of children with respiratory diseases and diarrheal diseases combined far exceeded the number of those with scabies. A study conducted in 2009 collected data from a pool of 30,078 children in India, and reported that scabies was the third most common skin disease found in infants. Taking into consideration all the age groups of the children tested, the same study found that scabies was the second most common skin disease reported overall.
Worldwide estimates climb up to 300 million cases of scabies each year. Scabies epidemics may occur within the United States, often finding residence in hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and other similar institutions. Infestations are frequently seen within homeless populations as well. Common risk factors observed include: poor housing, irregular use of showers, illiteracy, a low family income, sharing clothes and/or towels, and crowded environments, among others.
