Scabies epidemiology in health care centers for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece.
Journal
PLoS neglected tropical diseases
ISSN: 1935-2735
Titre abrégé: PLoS Negl Trop Dis
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101291488
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
06 2022
06 2022
Historique:
received:
08
01
2022
accepted:
23
05
2022
revised:
05
07
2022
pubmed:
23
6
2022
medline:
8
7
2022
entrez:
22
6
2022
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Scabies is a global health concern disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as refugees and asylum seekers. Greece is a main point of entry in Europe for refugees, but epidemiological data on scabies in this population are scarce. We aimed to describe the epidemiology of scabies, including trends over the study period. Data were collected from June, 2016 to July, 2020, using the surveillance system of the Greek National Public Health Organization. Daily reports on scabies and other infectious diseases were submitted by staff at health centers for refugees/asylum seekers. Observed proportional morbidity for scabies was calculated using consultations for scabies as a proportion of total consultations. There were a total of 13118 scabies cases over the study period. Scabies was the third most frequently observed infectious disease in refugees/asylum seekers population after respiratory infections and gastroenteritis without blood in the stool. The scabies monthly observed proportional morbidity varied between 0.3% (August 2017) to 5.7% (January 2020). Several outbreaks were documented during the study period. The number of cases increased from October 2019 until the end of the study period, with a peak of 1663 cases in January 2020, related to an outbreak at one center. Spearman correlation test between the number of reported scabies cases and time confirmed an increasing trend (ρ = 0.67). Scabies is one of the most frequently reported infectious diseases by health care workers in refugee/asylum seekers centers in Greece. Observed proportional morbidity for scabies increased over time and there were several outbreaks. The current surveillance system with daily reports of the new cases effectively detects new cases in an early stage. Public health interventions, including mass drug administration, should be considered to reduce the burden of scabies in refugee/migrant populations.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Scabies is a global health concern disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as refugees and asylum seekers. Greece is a main point of entry in Europe for refugees, but epidemiological data on scabies in this population are scarce. We aimed to describe the epidemiology of scabies, including trends over the study period.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Data were collected from June, 2016 to July, 2020, using the surveillance system of the Greek National Public Health Organization. Daily reports on scabies and other infectious diseases were submitted by staff at health centers for refugees/asylum seekers. Observed proportional morbidity for scabies was calculated using consultations for scabies as a proportion of total consultations. There were a total of 13118 scabies cases over the study period. Scabies was the third most frequently observed infectious disease in refugees/asylum seekers population after respiratory infections and gastroenteritis without blood in the stool. The scabies monthly observed proportional morbidity varied between 0.3% (August 2017) to 5.7% (January 2020). Several outbreaks were documented during the study period. The number of cases increased from October 2019 until the end of the study period, with a peak of 1663 cases in January 2020, related to an outbreak at one center. Spearman correlation test between the number of reported scabies cases and time confirmed an increasing trend (ρ = 0.67).
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
Scabies is one of the most frequently reported infectious diseases by health care workers in refugee/asylum seekers centers in Greece. Observed proportional morbidity for scabies increased over time and there were several outbreaks. The current surveillance system with daily reports of the new cases effectively detects new cases in an early stage. Public health interventions, including mass drug administration, should be considered to reduce the burden of scabies in refugee/migrant populations.
Identifiants
pubmed: 35731821
doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010153
pii: PNTD-D-22-00042
pmc: PMC9255768
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
e0010153Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Références
Clin Microbiol Infect. 2012 Apr;18(4):313-23
pubmed: 22429456
Travel Med Infect Dis. 2018 Sep - Oct;25:65-76
pubmed: 29702253
Br J Dermatol. 2020 Nov;183(5):808-820
pubmed: 32034956
Int J Dermatol. 2012 Feb;51(2):173-7
pubmed: 22250626
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 Mar;82(3):533-548
pubmed: 31310840
PLoS Med. 2020 Mar 31;17(3):e1003076
pubmed: 32231358
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2018 May 17;12(5):e0006401
pubmed: 29771941
Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Oct;26(10):2509-2511
pubmed: 32730735
Lancet. 2019 Jul 6;394(10192):81-92
pubmed: 31178154
Int J Infect Dis. 2020 Sep;98:18-20
pubmed: 32585283
PLoS One. 2019 Dec 26;14(12):e0226948
pubmed: 31877563
Eur J Public Health. 2018 Oct 1;28(5):910-916
pubmed: 30010744
Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2016 May;59(5):570-7
pubmed: 27072500
Confl Health. 2020 May 01;14:21
pubmed: 32377233