The Epidemic Of Scabies In Yaounde

Sarcoptes scabiei the 'itch mite' is a human ectoparasite of worldwide distribution, which affects all ages and respects no social class.In developed countries the incidence of scabies has shown cyclical epidemics.A prospective study was carried out in two dermatology clinics in Yaoundé between 1991 and 2004.Out of 32,447 patients seen in the dermatology clinics during the study period, 2,738 (8.4%) had scabies.The age range of the patients with scabies was 1 to 65 years.There was an upsurge of the number of cases of scabies between 1991 and 2004.Majority of the patients came from lowincome quarters, where over crowding is common, and the tendency to have more than two children in one family bed.We recommend that the management of cases of scabies should include the household and sex partners of the patients.