TWENTY-eight per cent of the population in Tailevu is infected with scabies

[Franky]

From the fijitimes

TWENTY-eight per cent of the population in Tailevu is infected with scabies

This was revealed by the result of a one year study which was carried out in 2004 by a visiting dermatologist from St Vincent's Hospital in Australia. Head of Dermatology at the St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Doctor Margot Whitfeld said she was in Fiji to conduct the research to see how prevalent the disease was in Fiji.

"Scabies is a big problem in Fiji because the Fijian weather is ideal for the growth of scabies mites under the skin," said Dr Whitfeld. She said the disease was also difficult to treat with the constant unavailability of water in Fiji.

Dr Whitfeld said scabies was most prevalent in babies and small children but it did not mean that adults were not prone to get infected. "On my first trip here in 2004, we carried out a study in the Tailevu area with the assistance from the Ministry of Health.

"The main aim of the study was to see the extent of the infection and to look at options for treatment of those infected here," said Dr Whitfeld. She said in 2004 they used tablets to cure scabies instead of ointments and found that tablets were effective and did not produce rashes.

"This trip was made to follow up on those who were part of the study in 2004 and we found that the cases of scabies in the Tailevu area had decreased," she said. She said the Ministry of Health's Department of Public Health was working with her to work out treatment plans for scabies.

"I met with the Director Public Health Dr Timaima Tuiketei and she acknowledged the cases of scabies in Fiji,' she said.

[tcmgpt13]

Just saw someone reading this thread and did a search to see what might have been learned about scabies being seen in Fiji since Franky posted this article back in 2006. It would be great if the Rotary Clubs in the US would become involved with funding Morgellons workshops or patient surveys about Morgellons (Rotary mentioned as a sponsor at the bottom of this article):

Skin rash afflicts nation

Zafiya Shamim Friday, March 18, 2011

A NATIONAL survey of 13,000 villagers carried out in 2007 showed about 23 per cent of villagers suffered from some type of dermatological condition.

Speaking at the recent four-day nurses dermatology workshop in Suva on Wednesday, Dr Margot Winfield of St Vincent Hospital in Australia said 50 per cent of those surveyed comprised children.

'Fiji has a hot and humid environment, which is ideal for bacterial infections and this workshop will better equip nurses on viral and fungal infections, skin diseases and on how to treat them,' Dr Margot said.

'Scabies is more common in babies and small children but it does not mean that adults are not prone to infection.'

'Scabies cannot be prevented. Scabies is something you get by contact with other people.'

Dr Margot said it was very important that skin diseases were treated quickly and effectively, as these could lead to other health problems such as kidney failure and could even cause death in some cases.

Dr Margot was impressed with the enthusiasm of the participants, sub-divisional nurses from both the central and eastern divisions.

Ideally, the participants' skills in diagnosing skin diseases would have been boosted and the workshop itself represented a decentralisation of dermatology knowledge.

Funders include Rotary club of North Sydney, Suva Rotary, Redondo Beach, Los Angeles, California.

fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=168530

From this same conference here's some advice from a dermatologist about cleanliness, good diet, and staying hydrated to help maintain the skin's health. It looks as if derms are more open minded than the ones most with Morgellons have seen in more developed nations. At least the workshops conducted in Fiji have doctors encouraging patients to actually report skin diseases. Amazing:

Skin experts stresses cleanliness and diet

Zafiya Shamim Friday, March 18, 2011

SKIN care and hygiene are important for healthy living says, senior medical officer and dermatologist, Apisalome Nakolinivalu.

Dr Nakolinivalu made the comments on Wednesday during a four-day dermatology workshop at Suva's Twomey Hospital.

'Scabies, fungal diseases and viral infection are the most common skin diseases found in Fiji,' he said.

Apart from creating awareness, the workshop was also a platform for stakeholders in terms of accessing new research and information.

Participants heard that reported cases of scabies totalled 1402 last year; fungal infection 3731; dermatitis 2767; psoriasis 438; and acne 408. Inclusive of all other skin diseases, reported cases totalled 11,747 of which 5488 were male and 6259 female.

'Cleanliness is very important, eating well-balanced meals, drinking a lot of fluid and exercise helps keep our skin healthy,' Dr Nakolinivalu said.

He urged members of the public to report skin diseases to their nearest health centres.

The workshop was attended by nurses from Serua, Namosi, Suva, Naitasiri, Rewa, Tailevu, Lomaloma, Lakeba and Rotuma. Skin experts stresses cleanliness and diet

fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=168532

[Janice]

I was vacationing in Fiji about 3 years ago, and it was one of the few times my skin felt really good and not under attack.

[tcmgpt13]

I imagine it's probably mind over matter when it comes to skin and vacations, the matter in this case being the down time you probably experienced at that time which led to a very relaxed state of mind. As we all know stress does worsen skin symptoms, not just in those who have Morgellons but in those who have other skin symptoms such as those caused by allergies. Did you notice that you had Morgellons skin symptoms before you left for your dream (sounds wonderful) vacation that improved while there? I am curious about one matter though. How does one distinguish Morgellons cutaneous skin symptoms from cutaneous skin symptoms caused by hepatitis C (think you mentioned having this)?

In Fiji the natives are very friendly and like to share their mats with each other and hug a lot. So I guess it depends on one's experience with Fiji as to what happens to the skin while there as far as scabies (glad yours was a positive experience with no little uninvited visitors added). As was pointed out in the article scabies is passed through direct person to person contact, so I think you were fortunate to have escaped that problem (since the percentages for scabies are so high in those islands--it appears that many in the native population there are not as fortunate as you were).

quote=Janice;84761]I was vacationing in Fiji about 3 years ago, and it was one of the few times my skin felt really good and not under attack.[/quote]

[Janice]

Yes, it was a dream vacation. I had morgellons for quit a few years before I went to fiji. Hawaii however... my skin goes nuts.

[tcmgpt13]

Any ideas why this would be so? Interesting as the climates are so very similar. Jean Long has mentioned that when she went to Hawaii her symptoms worsened too. In her case she mentioned that it could be the climate differences between Hawaii and Nevada. So maybe not just dampness issues found in Hawaii as that's also in Fiji. Hmm.

quote=Janice;84776]Yes, it was a dream vacation. I had morgellons for quit a few years before I went to fiji. Hawaii however... my skin goes nuts.[/quote]

[Janice]

Hi, I did not find Fiji damp.. Hawaii on the other hand yes.

[tcmgpt13]

Maybe it's not as damp, but according to the doctor at the workshop it's hot and humid in Fiji. Possibly you visited an area on one of the islands which could be considered desert like due to little rainfall or it has a more pronounced dry season time than does Hawaii and that's when you visited. I know that can be true on the island of Puerto Rico. And even on Oahu there are areas of the island which are drier and do not get as much rainfall, areas that are not as popular with tourists since the major hotels are not found there.