Conference Abstract | Volume 9, Abstract 0017 (ConfProc7) | Published: 29 Apr 2026
Donyuo Haare1,&, Nelson Ayamga1, Arnold Anaba1, Samuel Dapaa2, Jennifer Nai Dowetin2, Magdalene Akos Odikro2, Ernest Kenu2
1Ghana Health Service, Binduri District Health Directorate, Ghana, 2Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Programme, Accra, Ghana
&Corresponding author: Donyuo Haare, Ghana Health Service, Binduri District Health Directorate Email: hdonyuo@gmail.com
Received: 29 Aug 2025, Accepted: 28 Oct 2025, Published: 29 Apr 2026
Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Keywords: Scabies, Outbreak, Investigation, Binduri, Ghana
©Donyuo Haare et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Donyuo Haare et al. Scabies case investigation in Binduri District, Ghana, 2025. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2026;9(ConfProc7):0017. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO7-0017
Scabies is a Neglected Tropical Disease transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact and indirectly via infested clothing or bedding. Although preventable and treatable, scabies continues to pose public health challenges in Ghana. The Binduri District recorded three scabies cases in 2024. On August 21, 2025, the Binduri District Health Directorate was notified by a Community-Based Surveillance Volunteer (CBSV) of four cases of scabies in Aniisi 1 community. We investigated to determine the cause of the condition, identify the source and mode of transmission, and assess the risk factors contributing to the spread.
A descriptive cross-sectional study was used. A suspected case was defined as any person in the household presenting with rashes and persistent itching. Physical and clinical examinations were done by a medical doctor. A structured questionnaire was used and a face-to-face interview was conducted. No laboratory confirmation was done due to lack of testing capacity. Data was analyzed using Microsoft excel 2019. Proportions for age, sex and attack rate were calculated and results were presented in tables.
Physical and clinical judgement indicated scabies infestation. Four cases were identified in two households. Most cases were males 75% (3/4) and the mean age was 45 years (range: 2–58 years). The attack rate in the house was 36.4% (4/11) and the community was 0.6% (4/723), no death. Treatment with ivermectin and benzyl benzoate was given. Prophylaxis was given to contacts. Targeted health education and active Case search was conducted.
The extent of the scabies outbreak was minimal. Transmission was linked to direct contact with infected individuals and indirect exposure through shared clothing and bedding. Key risk factors included overcrowding, poor personal and environmental hygiene, and limited access to safe water. There is the need for intensified community health education, improved water and sanitation infrastructure, and continuous surveillance to prevent future outbreaks.
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