Scabies in Thai orphanages.
BACKGROUND
Scabies outbreaks have emerged in the orphanages in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Sulfur has been accepted as the standard treatment for childhood scabies in Thailand. Sulfur was administered in the mass treatment in two orphanages. The present study surveys the prevalence of scabies in these orphans the year following the mass treatment program.


METHODS
The authors visited the two orphanages over the course of 1 year. Children at the orphanages were examined. Cases of scabies and their contacts were treated.


RESULTS
The prevalence of scabies was 87.3% before the mass treatment, and 2 months after treatment the prevalence of scabies was reduced to a prevalence of <10%, which was maintained until the end of the present study (P < 0.01 for each visit).


CONCLUSIONS
Sulfur is effective for treating scabies outbreaks where the cost of treatment is a major concern. In order to control the scabies outbreak and to prevent further outbreaks, the authors emphasize that an ongoing process of follow up after mass treatment is necessary.
Pruksachatkunakorn
Chulabhorn
C
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. cpruksac@mail.med.cmu.ac.th
Wongthanee
Antika
A
Kasiwat
Varangthip
V
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019372:Orphanages; D015995:Prevalence; D012532:Scabies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology