Kona hospital accepts patients as scabies treatments continue

Kona Community Hospital said it is continuing to admit patients while treating an undisclosed number of people for scabies, a highly contagious skin condition caused by tiny, burrowing mites.

The hospital said Thursday evening that it had closed most patient units to visitors indefinitely as an “aggressive preventive measure.” A story on Page B2 Friday incorrectly reported that entire units of the hospital shut down.

The hospital said it is using prophylactic treatments such as a topical creams and an oral medication called Ivermectin which is effective against different types of parasites. Despite restricting visitors to patient units, all outpatient services remain open. The hospital also is allowing visitors to the obstetrics and pediatric surgery units.

Symptoms of scabies include extreme itching, rash and lesions.

“All patient-care staff members are receiving preventive treatment whether symptomatic or not. Medication is decided based on the individual case,” said spokeswoman Judy Donovan. “Scabies is not a public health threat. Rather, it is a highly contagious but common infection that spreads from person to person by prolonged skin-to-skin contact.”

Hospital officials have been trying to contain the spread of scabies since confirming the infection in a number of people reporting similar symptoms Nov. 19. The hospital said it will continue to monitor the situation for up to eight weeks.

“The good news is it’s easy to treat. It’s generally not a fatal illness and usually doesn’t cause long- lasting problems, but it is one of those things that makes you itchy just thinking about it,” said community physician Dr. James Ireland, who sees on average one case of scabies a year. “It’s not that hard to treat, but the problem is it’s super contagious. The itchiness comes from those mites crawling around under your skin.”

Officials wouldn’t comment on the source of the outbreak or how many have been affected by the microscopic mites that burrow and lay eggs in the outer layers of the skin and can live there for months if untreated.

Treatment includes medicated creams and lotions that are applied to sufferers from the neck down and should be left on for at least eight to 10 hours, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Multiple treatments are necessary if there are new burrows or rash, and it is recommended that household members and other close contacts — even without symptoms — be treated as a precautionary measure. Oral medication is prescribed for patients with compromised immune systems or those who don’t respond to chemical lotions and creams, though not recommended for pregnant or nursing women or small children.