Mass Treatment of Scabies in Endemic Areas, Closed Communities, and Remote Populations

When scabies is endemic or conditions of close contact permit rapid spread — remote communities, sites of mass population displacement, nursing homes, jails — a population-wide treatment strategy is indicated. All individuals in the affected setting are treated, regardless of whether they currently show symptoms.

Mass population treatment is recommended for the control of scabies in endemic areas, for example remote communities or mass population displacements, and in the management of epidemics in closed communities such as nursing homes or jails. All individuals should be treated irrespective of symptoms.

The protocol uses an oral antiparasitic agent given to all eligible individuals, with a structured follow-up administration to improve the overall response. Full eligibility criteria, timing, and regimen details are available in the complete protocol.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

DOI: 10.1111/jdv.14351

All individuals should be treated irrespective of symptoms.

A single dose of oral ivermectin 200 micrograms/kg of bodyweight is effective.

Ivermectin may not sterilize scabies eggs, and a second dose given after one week has been shown to increase the response.

The administration of a second dose of ivermectin is recommended although the importance of this second dose for scabies control need to be further evaluated.

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