An Innovative Approach to Controlling a Scabies Outbreak Through the Use of ONLINE Classes as a Strategic Anti-epidemic Tool

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe disease associated with high in-hospital mortality. Prognostic factors and the independent role of cardiac surgery remain unclear in clinical practice in Vietnam. Objective: The objective is to show that the introduction of new technologies in medicine, such as ONLINE classes in schools, can be used to suppress and control infectious parasitic diseases. Methods: The methods include a retrospective processing of relevant data on affected individuals through reports of infectious diseases, an epidemiological report and a survey form regarding the report of a scabies outbreak in May 2024 in the so-called Nemila basin area, in the city of Zenica. Results: The results are based on 53 treated cases of scabies during the period from 14 to 21 weeks in 2024. The outbreak began among students in one branch elementary school (27, 50.9%), and it spread to the other two schools. The disease is further detected in 5 settlements, and 83% of the total number of affected individuals are registered in one settlement. Anti-epidemic measures were taken immediately after reports and confirmation of the diagnosis from the field, in the form of epidemiological reconnaissance, surveys, health education, and the introduction of ONLINE classes in the affected schools. The affected individuals, categorized by age group, are: 7-14; 39 (73.5%, x̄=10.1), 15-24; 7 (13.2%, x̄=16), 25-49; 5 (9.4%, x̄=35), 50-64; 2 (3.7%, x̄=59). The average age of all affected individuals is x̄=15.1. The incidence ratio by gender is: male 43% and female 53.6%. There were no hospitalized cases. 92.4% of the reported cases are related to the outbreak. Conclusion: standard methods of treatment and health education of the affected population, as well as new methods based on information technologies and communications as a way of interrupting the chain of infection transmission, are shown to be effective for the suppression and elimination of the disease. Published by Academy of Medical Sciences in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Keywords: outbreak, online classes, Scabies..