The GGD region of Utrecht (GGDrU) and RIVM are working on a scabies campaign. Alderman Eelco Eerenberg said this after questions from the VVD and Student & Starter. The aim of the campaign is to educate people about how to recognize scabies and how to treat it. In a council letter, Eerenberg says that the GGDrU is prepared to work together with educational institutions and student and study associations for the effective roll-out of this information campaign.
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by the scabies mite. The condition can be recognized by the increasing itching, sometimes with blisters and red bumps or stripes where the mite has dug tunnels. The mite spreads through physical contact, but also through contaminated clothing and bedding.
The number of scab cases has been rising for years, according to figures from research agency Nivel. GGD Utrecht and RIVM hope to reduce the number of cases through the information campaign.
Target audience
The skin condition is spreading quickly, especially among young people and student houses. Scabies can be treated with a special cream or tablets. Housemates and other close contacts should also treat themselves at the same time. The institutions believe that input from, for example, student and study associations and educational institutions is essential to ensure that the information campaign matches the target group as closely as possible.
GGDrU has a network of contact persons at the Utrecht student associations and study associations for this purpose. The Utrecht GGD is in the process of renewing and expanding this network for the fight against scabies, as can be read in the council letter. Eerenberg. “If it turns out that locations such as catering and sports clubs are relevant, these locations will also be included in the information provision”.
Anonymous SMS
The VVD and Student&Starter also asked whether it is possible to inform contacts of people who have scabies by means of an anonymous text message. This system works well for sexually transmitted diseases, but according to GGDrU it cannot be used for scabies. “Monitoring the success of the treatment is not possible if contacts are and remain anonymous,” says Eerenberg. “The administrators of the national SMS system have indicated that they do not currently see any possibilities to expand the system in a way that supports its use in combating scabies. If necessary, the GGDrU is prepared to use upscaling scenarios, just like with other infectious diseases.”
National coordination
Not only in Utrecht, but also in other Dutch regions with large student populations, the number of cases of scabies has increased in recent years. To avoid confusion in the provision of information and perspectives for action, national coordination in student cities in the Netherlands is important. GGDrU therefore works closely with other GGDs and the RIVM.
