New figures reveal that hundreds of people across Yorkshire have been hospitalised due to a rare skin condition.
The data indicates a rise in diagnoses of scabies, a rash triggered by tiny mites burrowing into the skin.While typically not serious and treatable with creams or lotions, it can cause severe itching.
Experts are attributing the surge in diseases like measles, , and scabies to poverty and declining vaccination rates. Measles and whooping cough cases are also increasing in many regions.
The following areas had the highest prevalence of scabies hospitalisations in the year leading up to March, compared to the previous year's figures.
The numbers have been rounded up to the nearest five, and if there were fewer than seven cases, they are not available, reports .
READ MORE:
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 begins with cold-like symptoms before developing 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.
Whooping cough cases have tripled, hitting a staggering 1,696 diagnoses this year, while scabies infections have shot up by 66%, with 5,661 primary and secondary diagnoses recorded.
Gwen Nightingale, assistant director of Healthy Lives at the Health Foundation, has highlighted the link between poverty and the spread of diseases.
"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 said.
"The Government has a choice as to whether it wants to perpetuate the current numbers of families living in poverty."
She's calling on the government to ensure people have sufficient incomes, quality affordable housing, and green spaces to help curb these illnesses.
The UK Health Service Authority has issued a warning that the spike in measles hospitalisations might be a warning sign of declining vaccination rates. A spokesperson stated: "In addition to measles, many children are also missing out on protection against other serious diseases, including whooping cough, , 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, expressed his concern: "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."
Mr Russell encouraged parents to review their child's vaccination records, and to contact their GP to schedule one if necessary.
