Ivermectin scabies program cuts cases in Solomon Islands and Fiji
A Nature Health study reports sharp, sustained drops in scabies and impetigo after national ivermectin campaigns in two Pacific countries.
By Tom Brennan · Health & Medicine Correspondent
3 min read
An ivermectin scabies program delivered nationally in Solomon Islands and Fiji sharply reduced the contagious skin disease and related infections, according to research led by the World Scabies Program at Murdoch Children's Research Institute. The findings matter because scabies remains common in Pacific Island countries and can lead to bacterial skin infections and longer-term health problems.
The study, published in Nature Health, examined the first national mass drug administration programs for scabies control, according to Murdoch Children's Research Institute. The World Scabies Program said the campaigns used ivermectin, an antiparasitic medicine widely used against neglected tropical diseases.
The programs were carried out by the Ministries of Health and Medical Services in Solomon Islands and Fiji, with support from the World Scabies Program, according to the institute. The World Scabies Program is an initiative of Murdoch Children's Research Institute and includes researchers from the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney.
How much did scabies fall after ivermectin treatment?
In Solomon Islands, where the full population received two annual rounds of mass drug administration, scabies prevalence fell from 23.2% to 3.9%, the study found. Impetigo, a bacterial skin infection associated with scabies, dropped from 9.2% to 1.6% over the same period.
In Fiji, one nationwide round of treatment was followed by a decline in scabies prevalence from 6.2% to 3.4% within 12 months, according to the researchers. Impetigo prevalence in Fiji fell from 4.3% to 1.2%.
More than 2.5 million ivermectin doses were provided through the campaigns, Murdoch Children's Research Institute said. The study reported declines in scabies and impetigo across all age groups in both countries, including young children, and found that moderate-to-severe scabies also decreased substantially.
What is scabies?
Scabies is a parasitic skin disease that spreads easily and causes severe itching and skin damage, according to Murdoch Children's Research Institute. The institute said it can trigger secondary infections caused by Strep A bacteria and is linked to serious complications, including kidney disease and potentially rheumatic heart disease.
The World Health Organization classified scabies as a neglected tropical disease in 2017, according to the institute. Murdoch Children's Research Institute said scabies causes more than 600 million cases worldwide each year.
Dr. Susanna Lake of Murdoch Children's Research Institute said the results show that coordinated national action can bring scabies under control when effective treatment reaches people at scale. Professor Andrew Steer of the institute said the findings give policymakers evidence for adding scabies control to public health and neglected tropical disease programs.
What gaps remain?
Steer said high coverage in urban areas required several delivery routes, including workplaces, schools and community gatherings. He also said more work is needed for young children, because scabies prevalence remained above 10% among children younger than 5 after treatment.
The results were released as the World Health Organization published a scabies control guide, with contributions from Lake, Steer and Dr. Daniel Engelman, according to Murdoch Children's Research Institute. The guide covers estimating disease burden, delivering control measures and setting up monitoring and evaluation systems.
This story draws on original reporting from Medical Xpress.