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.

READ MORE: What is the 'tripledemic'? GP warns against three nasty viruses that have identical symptoms

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 Nightingale, assistant director of Healthy Lives at the Health Foundation, underscored the association between poverty and disease dissemination.

"Not having enough income to sustain a basic standard of living can have a negative impact on health, through factors like cold, damp homes or an inability to access healthy foods. The stress of living on a low income can also negatively impact health," she explained.

"The Government has a choice as to whether it wants to perpetuate the current numbers of families living in poverty."

Nightingale is urging the government to safeguard peoples incomes and provide quality affordable housing and accessible green spaces to mitigate these health issues.

The UK Health Service Authority has raised the alarm over the rise in measles hospital admissions, suggesting it could indicate falling vaccination rates. A spokesperson reported: "In addition to measles, many children are also missing out on protection against other serious diseases, including whooping cough, meningitis, diphtheria and polio. It is especially tragic to see kids suffer when these diseases are so easily preventable."

Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccination and screening, voiced his concern, articulating: "These worrying figures highlight that too many children are still not fully protected against diseases like measles and whooping cough, which can cause serious illness but are preventable."

"Vaccines are parents' best defence against these illnesses that's why the NHS offers them free, saving thousands of lives and preventing tens of thousands of hospital admissions every year."

He then urged parents to check their child's vaccination status, advising them to reach out to their GP for an appointment if their child is due one.