Kona Community Hospital- Scabies-Visitor Restriction UPDATE

KAILUA-KONA — Patient visitation remains restricted at Kona Community Hospital as the facility works to handle an outbreak of scabies.

As of Friday, all staff members at the hospital had been treated for scabies whether they showed symptoms or not, but the restriction on visiting patients at the facility, which was put into place Dec. 6, is still in effect, said KCH spokeswoman Judy Donovan.

“We hope to have a better update mid to late next week,” Donovan said, noting nothing had changed since the last press release issued Dec. 6.

The hospital is continuing to admit and treat patients, and all outpatient services remain open, Donovan said.

Preventive measures in combination with limited contact are the hospital’s strategy to deal with the highly infectious disease caused by mites that burrow under the skin and lay their eggs.

The news of the outbreak broke Nov. 26 after an anonymous source familiar with the situation at the hospital said more than 50 staff members were diagnosed with scabies. The hospital employs about 450 people.

The number of people with scabies since the hospital confirmed the outbreak Nov. 19 has not been provided. The hospital said on Dec. 6 that its personnel has been working to contain the spread of scabies.

“Our surveillance of this situation will be ongoing for up to eight weeks,” said Lisa Downing, infection prevention and employee health director, in the release. “The hospital’s control protocols are aligned with CDC recommendations for controlling and containing a scabies outbreak. The Hawaii Department of Health has also provided support.”

Scabies is a highly contagious parasitic infection but often easily treatable. The primary symptom is an itchy rash that can appear on several areas on the body. The hospital said it is not a public health threat.

The infection is most commonly spread through direct, skin-to-skin contact, but also can be transmitted for short periods through contact with clothing, towels and bedding, according to the DOH.

Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.