Management of an outbreak of Norwegian scabies

An outbreak of Norwegian scabies in a 170-bed acute care hospital was controlled through an organized plan for delivering treatment to those affected: four patients, 50 staff members, and 14 family members of staff members. Health departments in two counties were notified and found four additional cases in the long-term care facility at which the index patient lived. Contact isolation was used for the index patient and any other patients with nosocomial scabies. Staff members infested with Sarcoptes scabiei were released from work until they had been treated with lindane. Staff members who had been in contact with infested persons and staff members' families were treated prophylactically with lindane. This aggressive treatment plan resulted in rapid resolution of the outbreak.