One-fifth of Fijians affected by scabies
Updated
New research in Fiji has found over a fifth of the country's population is affected by the skin disease scabies.
Our Pacific correspondent, Campbell Cooney, reports the research team tested over 13,000 Fijians across all areas of the country, and found over 20 per cent of them suffered from the skin disease scabies, which can cause uncontrollable itching, and infections which can kill.
The head of the research project, Doctor Margot Whitfeld says some age groups are worst affected.
"In some age groups, particulary in children, more than 50% of the children had scabies," she said.
Doctor Whitfeld says their research found many health workers in Fiji spend nearly half their time dealing with scabies, and even then it might be more widespread than they are aware of.
"It's been so much a part of their lives, and their culture in many areas, it's no longer reported."
The research will be used to assist Fiji's health authorities find a way of affectively treating its people.
