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The canton of Vaud affected by scabies: what is the real situation?
Interview with the cantonal doctor regarding the outbreaks of cases mainly in the Broye region, but also in Lausanne.
Natasha Hathaway
Published: June 19, 2026, 6:37 PM
In short:
Fifteen outbreaks of scabies have been reported in school facilities in the Broye region of Vaud.
The disease is transmitted only through prolonged and repeated skin-to-skin contact.
Symptoms include nighttime itching and characteristic red bumps.
Scabies has been spreading in the Broye region of Vaud since the beginning of spring. While doctors consider it a benign illness, the number of cases is concerning. Should we be worried? What are the symptoms? Can we speak of an epidemic? We get an update from Thierry Fumeaux , the cantonal physician.
How many cases of scabies have been recorded in the canton of Vaud?
It is important to remember that scabies is not a notifiable disease and is therefore not systematically reported to the Cantonal Medical Office. Only outbreaks—defined as two or more cases in a single facility—are reported to us. Currently, fifteen outbreaks have been reported in schools and preschools in several municipalities in the Broye region, and one outbreak was recently reported in the Lausanne area. It is not a rare infection. Cases appear sporadically throughout the canton and are usually managed by family doctors or dermatologists. Outbreaks in institutions are also frequent and generally resolve quickly.
How does it spread and how can we protect ourselves from it?
These parasites are transmitted through close, prolonged, and repeated skin-to-skin contact. Simply talking to someone, touching them, or shaking hands is not enough. In addition to the family environment, schools and preschools are the highest-risk settings because children are in close contact. Symptoms include itching, primarily at night, and small red bumps that appear between the fingers, on the front of the wrists, elbows, and armpits, and on the area between the abdomen and thigh. If scabies is suspected, especially after contact with a confirmed case, the first step is to consult your doctor. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, it is essential to treat both the infected individuals, their close contacts within the household (whether symptomatic or not), and the environment simultaneously.
Can we talk about an epidemic ?
There is no epidemic threshold for scabies. The disease is constantly present in the population and is mostly transmitted asymptomatically. What is reported and becomes visible to the Cantonal Medical Officer are outbreaks in institutions. Currently, there are about fifteen reported outbreaks in the Broye region, suggesting active community transmission, likely higher than usual. However, at present, only a small proportion of cases are confirmed after a full diagnosis.
https://www.24heures.ch/gale-quinze-foyers-signales-dans-les-ecoles-de-la-broye-949863872563
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Suspected cases of scabies are increasing in the canton of Fribourg
The canton of Fribourg is facing a resurgence of suspected scabies cases. The Broye region is particularly affected, but other areas of the canton are now also impacted. Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
The number of consultations related to suspected cases of scabies has increased sharply in the Broye region, with repercussions on local health centers, particularly in Payerne (VD).
On Thursday, 308 people went to the Broye Intercantonal Hospital (HIB) with symptoms suggestive of the disease. To cope with this influx, consultation rooms were set up in the ambulance garage, but patients sometimes had to wait patiently.
"This system is in addition to the hospital's normal operations. It often generates long waiting times, averaging 2.5 to 3 hours for patients. We ask for the public's understanding," explained Patrick Goller, Director of Nursing at HIB, on Friday during the 12:45 news broadcast. It was also reiterated that in case of symptoms, one should first contact their doctor to avoid overloading the emergency room.
A spread that is being closely monitored
Scabies, caused by a mite, is not dangerous but causes intense itching and skin lesions, especially between the fingers, around the navel or joints.
In children, symptoms can appear anywhere, on the scalp, face, palms of the hands or soles of the feet, which complicates diagnosis, explains Macha Roschat, head physician of the pediatrics department at HIB.
"Transmission requires direct and prolonged physical contact of 5 to 10 minutes. It's not just by shaking hands," explains the specialist.
Authorities call for calm
In recent weeks, confirmed cases were reported in the Broye region before spreading to other areas of the canton. According to Fribourg cantonal physician Thomas Plattner, as of Monday there were approximately one hundred confirmed cases among children and thirty among adults.
Schools and nurseries are particularly affected, but authorities are urging calm. "This resurgence is worrying, and the important thing is to identify cases. But those infected must stay home for 24 hours after starting treatment. We are also treating family members," explains Thomas Plattner.
Hannah Schlaepfer/jfe
Published yesterday at 6:39 PM Amended yesterday at 8:43 PM
https://www.rts.ch/info/regions/fri...on-de-fribourg-la-broye-touchee-29280256.html
The canton of Vaud affected by scabies: what is the real situation?
Interview with the cantonal doctor regarding the outbreaks of cases mainly in the Broye region, but also in Lausanne.
Natasha Hathaway
Published: June 19, 2026, 6:37 PM
In short:
Fifteen outbreaks of scabies have been reported in school facilities in the Broye region of Vaud.
The disease is transmitted only through prolonged and repeated skin-to-skin contact.
Symptoms include nighttime itching and characteristic red bumps.
Scabies has been spreading in the Broye region of Vaud since the beginning of spring. While doctors consider it a benign illness, the number of cases is concerning. Should we be worried? What are the symptoms? Can we speak of an epidemic? We get an update from Thierry Fumeaux , the cantonal physician.
How many cases of scabies have been recorded in the canton of Vaud?
It is important to remember that scabies is not a notifiable disease and is therefore not systematically reported to the Cantonal Medical Office. Only outbreaks—defined as two or more cases in a single facility—are reported to us. Currently, fifteen outbreaks have been reported in schools and preschools in several municipalities in the Broye region, and one outbreak was recently reported in the Lausanne area. It is not a rare infection. Cases appear sporadically throughout the canton and are usually managed by family doctors or dermatologists. Outbreaks in institutions are also frequent and generally resolve quickly.
How does it spread and how can we protect ourselves from it?
These parasites are transmitted through close, prolonged, and repeated skin-to-skin contact. Simply talking to someone, touching them, or shaking hands is not enough. In addition to the family environment, schools and preschools are the highest-risk settings because children are in close contact. Symptoms include itching, primarily at night, and small red bumps that appear between the fingers, on the front of the wrists, elbows, and armpits, and on the area between the abdomen and thigh. If scabies is suspected, especially after contact with a confirmed case, the first step is to consult your doctor. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, it is essential to treat both the infected individuals, their close contacts within the household (whether symptomatic or not), and the environment simultaneously.
Can we talk about an epidemic ?
There is no epidemic threshold for scabies. The disease is constantly present in the population and is mostly transmitted asymptomatically. What is reported and becomes visible to the Cantonal Medical Officer are outbreaks in institutions. Currently, there are about fifteen reported outbreaks in the Broye region, suggesting active community transmission, likely higher than usual. However, at present, only a small proportion of cases are confirmed after a full diagnosis.
https://www.24heures.ch/gale-quinze-foyers-signales-dans-les-ecoles-de-la-broye-949863872563
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suspected cases of scabies are increasing in the canton of Fribourg
The canton of Fribourg is facing a resurgence of suspected scabies cases. The Broye region is particularly affected, but other areas of the canton are now also impacted. Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
The number of consultations related to suspected cases of scabies has increased sharply in the Broye region, with repercussions on local health centers, particularly in Payerne (VD).
On Thursday, 308 people went to the Broye Intercantonal Hospital (HIB) with symptoms suggestive of the disease. To cope with this influx, consultation rooms were set up in the ambulance garage, but patients sometimes had to wait patiently.
"This system is in addition to the hospital's normal operations. It often generates long waiting times, averaging 2.5 to 3 hours for patients. We ask for the public's understanding," explained Patrick Goller, Director of Nursing at HIB, on Friday during the 12:45 news broadcast. It was also reiterated that in case of symptoms, one should first contact their doctor to avoid overloading the emergency room.
A spread that is being closely monitored
Scabies, caused by a mite, is not dangerous but causes intense itching and skin lesions, especially between the fingers, around the navel or joints.
In children, symptoms can appear anywhere, on the scalp, face, palms of the hands or soles of the feet, which complicates diagnosis, explains Macha Roschat, head physician of the pediatrics department at HIB.
"Transmission requires direct and prolonged physical contact of 5 to 10 minutes. It's not just by shaking hands," explains the specialist.
Authorities call for calm
In recent weeks, confirmed cases were reported in the Broye region before spreading to other areas of the canton. According to Fribourg cantonal physician Thomas Plattner, as of Monday there were approximately one hundred confirmed cases among children and thirty among adults.
Schools and nurseries are particularly affected, but authorities are urging calm. "This resurgence is worrying, and the important thing is to identify cases. But those infected must stay home for 24 hours after starting treatment. We are also treating family members," explains Thomas Plattner.
Hannah Schlaepfer/jfe
Published yesterday at 6:39 PM Amended yesterday at 8:43 PM
https://www.rts.ch/info/regions/fri...on-de-fribourg-la-broye-touchee-29280256.html