Other Countries

As the first global program dedicated to the elimination of scabies as a public health problem, World Scabies Program (WSP) strives to provide a wide range of expertise and support in the global effort to fight scabies. Providing technical support and assessing scabies prevalence are the primary mechanisms WSP employ to countries and partners that don't have established country programs. 

WSP supports various countries in the Pacific Region through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Partnerships for a Healthy Region, primarily through assessing scabies prevalence at the national level. WSP also provides technical support to Ministries of Health and partners to assist with undertaking scabies control activities. In 2024, WSP provided technical support for a mass drug administration (MDA) in Cox's Bazaar and Bhasan Char Islands, Bangladesh, implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners. 

French Polynesia National Scabies Baseline Prevalence Survey 

WSP worked with the French Polynesian Ministry of Health to undertake the first national scabies prevalence survey in 2023. The survey was population-based, utilising two-stage random cluster-sampling, randomly selecting villages or urban areas followed by the random selection of households. 

1,770 participants were surveyed, and the prevalence of scabies was attained. Obtaining an accurate picture of scabies prevalence at the national level enabled the Ministry of Health in French Polynesia to determine their next steps for scabies control within their country. 

MDA in Cox's Bazaar and Bhasan Char Islands, Bangladesh 

WSP provided technical support for a 2024 MDA in Cox’s Bazaar and Bhasan Char Islands, done in collaboration with WHO, the Government of Bangladesh and Health Sector Partners. The MDA treated almost 1 million people, using ivermectin and permethrin cream across 33 refugee camps, where scabies prevalence was estimated at 39%. ​A video with details around this extensive effort can be viewed here.

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