Istanbul hospital’s internal diseases service under quarantine due to scabies epidemic

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

The internal diseases service of one of Istanbul’s largest public hospitals has been closed due to a scabies epidemic, most likely caused by a subcontracted worker.

Göztepe Training and Research Hospital’s internal diseases department has been placed under quarantine and all patients have been transferred to other sections of the hospital after the scabies was detected in the service.

Istanbul Medical Chamber General Secretary Doctor Samet Mengüç found the incident “meaningful,” saying the epidemic’s unfortunate eruption in one of Istanbul’s central hospitals was a result of deficient health policies.

Scabies is usually found in unhealthy conditions, where proper hygiene conditions cannot be provided in underdeveloped societies, during wars or famine conditions, Mengüç said.

“According to the information we have gathered so far, the source of the disease is the subcontractor workers serving at the hospital. It is not hard to guess the results with these health policies when we consider the workers’ living and working conditions,” he told reporters on Sept. 9.

Work is continuing to clear the disease from the service, he added.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Ali Rıza Odabaş from the hospital told Doğan News Agency that the service had not closed. He added that scabies had been identified in four personnel, including one doctor.

The Istanbul Medical Chamber and Health Laborers’ Union is expected to deliver a press statement in front of the hospital on Sept. 10.