Rochester (N.Y.) General Health System is taking preventive measures and treating about 4,000 staff members and 500 patients for scabies following a small outbreak, according to a Democrat & Chronicle report.
A patient treated in Rochester General's hospital late in September was later diagnosed with scabies. Since then, the hospital has confirmed four other cases, according to the report.
The hospital is taking a preventive measure by providing treatments to staff and patients since scabies has a long incubation period. "It may seem a bit excessive to actually treat 4,000 employees, but it should actually shut this down," Edward Walsh, MD, Rochester General's head of infectious disease, told the Democrat & Chronicle.
In addition to treating staff and patients, the system sent letters to former patients, warning them to keep an eye out for symptoms, but adding their risk was low.
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