Victorian illness with worrying complications infects hundreds after outbreak in north

New data reveals that a rare skin condition has led to the hospitalisation of hundreds of individuals across the north.

The NHS statistics show an increase in scabies diagnoses, a rash caused by tiny mites burrowing into the skin. Although usually not severe and treatable with creams or lotions, it can result in intense itching.

Specialists are linking the rise in diseases such as measles, whooping cough, and scabies to poverty and falling vaccination rates. Cases of measles and whooping cough are also on the rise in numerous regions, including a recent outbreak in Yorkshire.

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The following areas recorded the highest number of scabies hospitalisations in the year leading up to March, compared to the figures from the previous year. The figures have been rounded up to the nearest five, and if there were fewer than seven cases, they are not available, according to Yorkshire Live.

In Doncaster and York, measles was more prevalent, with 20 diagnosed in Doncaster, compared to none the previous year, and ten in York, again with none the previous year. Measles typically starts with symptoms similar to a cold before progressing into a rash. If it spreads to the lungs or brain, it can lead to serious complications.

Across England, hospital visits resulting in a measles diagnosis increased five-fold, to 2,305 visits last year. This was the largest increase among any condition with at least 1,000 hospitalisations in England.

Cases of whooping cough have seen a threefold increase, hitting an alarming 1,696 diagnoses this year, while scabies infections have surged by 66%, with 5,661 primary and secondary diagnoses noted.

Gwen