The number of patients with scabies has increased in recent weeks. According to research institute Nivel, the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe in particular are frontrunners in this increase.
According to the Nivel, in 2020 there were 260 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 100 in 2014. An explanation for this sudden increase has not yet been found. “Actually, scabies is also a ‘social parasite’,” says GP Maarten Goedhart. In his opinion, it is common among Groningen students, because of the sharing of house and clothes. Especially because scabies can be transmitted after 15 minutes of contact with an infected person, the parasite continues to dominate among the students.
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by scabies mites. This mite digs tunnels under the first layer of skin, which can cause an annoying itching. The scabies mite is not dangerous, but is above all very annoying. It can be treated well with ointment or medication prescribed by the doctor.
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