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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, February 12, 2014 | 8 Hospital treats more than 30 staff showing symptoms continued from p.1 unit, was made public Friday by Halton Healthcare Services (HHS). Scabies is caused by a mite and symptoms include skin irritation and itchiness. Those affected are not considered contagious following treatment, and exposed individuals who do not have symptoms are also not contagious, hospital officials say. "All known symptomatic staff have been treated. Asymptomatic staff, who may have been exposed have been contacted by our Occupational Health and Safety Department to provide preventative treatment," said Dr. Neil Rau, HHS medical director of Infection Control and Infectious Diseases Specialist. HHS identified the outbreak Jan. 30. OTMH treated more than 30 staff showing symptoms of scabies -- and their families -- and other hospital staffers, who may have come into contact with the illness, but are not showing symptoms. Hospital officials said they performed a comprehensive review, ranging over a six-week period, of anyone who may have had contact with the infected person and two others, who shared a room with that patient and were since discharged from hospital. "Inpatients on the unit where the patient is located are also receiving preventative treatment," Rau said. Scabies has an incubation period of scabies is two to six weeks and it is transferred by frequent skin-to-skin contact. The majority of cases can be addressed with a single treatment of an over-the-counter lotion, available at most drug stores -- a small number of cases may need a second treatment. The last recorded outbreak of scabies at OTMH was in 1990. Hospital officials said treatment has been hampered by a province-wide shortage of lotion used to treat scabies. "The preferred approach is to treat everyone affected at the same time," Rau said. "Due to the drug shortages, treatment efforts have been staggered with a goal of treating symptomatic individuals before others in order to terminate further spread." Forty discharged patients who may have been exposed to scabies -- between Dec. 21, 2013 and Jan. 31 -- and have a risk of developing symptoms have been contacted by OTMH and advised to monitor themselves and to contact their family doctor if any signs of the condition emerge. OTMH is continuing to monitor patients and staff to ensure there is no further spread. "There are no unit closures or visiting restrictions as a result of this outbreak. It remains very safe to come to the hospital for treatment or to visit," said Rau. OTMH will continue to give Halton Region's Public Health Department Scabies outbreak has not closed any units or restricted visiting at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital regular updates of the situation. Matt Ruf, Halton Region's director of Health Protection Services, confirmed scabies is not a reportable disease to Public Health Ontario. "The hospitals are by no means required to report these cases to us, but if and when they do, we do work closely with them in any capacity they need," he said. Ruf noted scabies is "quite contagious," but spreads through frequent contact with skin and handling contaminated fabrics and linens. Former OTMH patients or families of current patients with questions can call the HHS patient relations office at 905-845-2571, ext. 6578. More information is available at www.haltonhealthcare.com. www.oakville.ca Special Planning and Development Council Meeting Tuesday, February 25, 2014 7 to 10 p.m. Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road ­ Council Chamber Town staff will be presenting the final draft of the 2014 Zoning Bylaw at this special meeting of Planning and Development Council and recommending Council pass Zoning By-law 2014-014. A final draft of the inZone Conformity Official Plan Amendment will also be presented for review and approval. For more information visit oakville.ca or email inzone@oakville.ca.