The Netherlands has seen scabies infections rise from approximately 100 per 100,000 residents in 2014 to over 1,000 per 100,000 by 2023. The increase appears to have begun during the 2021 lockdown period.
Erasmus MC has launched a nationwide study focused on improving detection methods. Wilma Stolk, leading the research, notes that scabies qualifies as a “forgotten disease” with limited recent research available.
At Scheldehof nursing home, location manager Frank Passchier described treating all 127 residents with 450 tubes of ointment and 200 toothbrushes. In his more than forty years of professional experience, he had not encountered a similar outbreak.
The condition presents diagnostic challenges. Patients become contagious after two weeks but symptoms may not appear for four to six weeks. Medical professionals rarely encounter scabies in routine practice.
Current protocols recommend treating anyone who had contact with an infected person in recent weeks, even without symptoms. All cases and contacts should receive treatment within the same 24-hour period.
The research team is exploring rapid self-testing methods and diagnostic innovations, including washing machine water analysis. Implementation guidance is expected to follow.
