Human scabies of wombat origin

[Extract] Scabies occurred in a keeper and the preparators of a common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) in Paris in the early 19th century. The wombat had sarcoptic mange and died at the zoological gardens associated with the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. The dead wombat was subsequently mounted and is in the collections of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. Arundel et al reported that scabies was a common problem in people who handled wombats infected with Sarcoptes scabiei but did not describe the clinical signs. Here, scabies is described in three people who handled dead common wombats affected with severe hyperkeratotic sarcoptic mange. Transmission of scabies originally acquired from a common wombat from person to person is also reported.